Feb 19 - Colossians 3:15

let the peace that 

comes from Christ 

rule in your hearts

Colossians 3:15

 

What is peace?

 

The Urban Dictionary defines peace like this: “a brief interlude between wars, during which the prudent study the lessons of the last war and prepare for the next one.”

 

Sadly, how many marriages follow that pattern?

 

Yes, rubbing up against each other constantly, as in marriage, causes a little friction. Nevertheless, this definition of peace invites us to ask: What truly defines our relationship? Is it the harmony and teamwork? Is it the frustrations and explosions? Or is it the up and down nature of our life together? 

 

Indeed, are we mainly just limping through puddles between the storms? Are we walking on egg shells not sure what will trigger the next outburst? Are tired and defeated and too often just going through the motions?

 

That’s the state of too many marriages. 

 

But here’s the curious thing: No one goes to the altar thinking, “Yep, that’s going to be us, too — a veneer of peace between the skirmishes.”

 

God offers an alternative: “the peace of Christ.”

 

What is it?

 

·         First, true peace starts with love. And it loves unconditionally, just as Jesus Christ loves us.  

·         Second, it’s the kind of love that sacrifices. It washes feet. It tends to one another’s leprous wounds. It is compassionate in spite of faults. It even lays down one’s own life for the other. 

·         True peace celebrates the best in the other person, just as Jesus celebrated, blessed, and restored the woman at the well (see John 4). 

·         True peace is forgiving. You spouse will occasionally hurt you, but chances are that they won’t literally nail you to a cross! So if Christ can forgive even that, then perhaps we should work daily to adorn ourselves with his heart of forgiveness. 

·         Heavenly peace is supernatural. You can’t do it alone! To achieve true peace, you must make your relationship with God the strongest reality in your life ... and then you can hope to achieve the fullest measure of peace, hope, and joy with a person who is just as imperfect as you (and just as in love with you).

·         Finally, it is a daily discipline. You must choose to love. You must choose to forgive. You must choose to assume the best of the other person. You must choose to not take offense. And if you want Christ’s peace, you must do this daily. Hourly. Constantly. 

 

Question of the Day: Love. Sacrifice. Assuming the best. A forgiving heart. Daily discipline. And a connection to God’s supernatural help. Which of these do you best? Which of these do you do worst? And which of these must you work on first to bless your most important relationship(s)?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants peace

... therefore, I must surrender