Colossians 3:12-17 (TPT) Love One Another
12 You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. 13 Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. 14 For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark [be a girdle] of true maturity [perfection].
15 Let your heart be always guided [umpired] by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ live [grow] in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the Scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises, and with prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit, so sing to God with all your hearts!
17 Let every activity [commitment] of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you!
People like to talk about peace and how to achieve it; but according to Scripture it will always escape them unless they yield to God. If the world would live in the love of Christ, peace would certainly follow. Without the love of Christ, the world can know no real peace. People have to be willing to turn away from evil; then, they can seek and pursue peace (Ps 34:14). Enforced peace is a possibility, but that did not work to bring lasting change for Rome in 180AD and it will not bring lasting change for peace today. The only way to know true peace is to know the Prince of Peace—Jesus. When we know Jesus, he imparts peace that passes all understanding and the love necessary to sustain lasting peace (Phil 4:6).
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul gives a strategy that can help Christians live for God each day: 1) imitate Christ’s forgiving attitude; 2) let love guide your life; 3) let the peace of Christ rule in your heart; 4) always be thankful; 5) keep God’s Word in you at all times, and 6) live as Jesus Christ’s representative. Always remember, as a Christian, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (Ro 12:18).
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being peace. You have told your children to expect a lack of peace (tribulation) while in this world, but to remain faithful because you have overcome the world. I am so grateful that I can enjoy peace as I live each day with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.