Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.

'AND LET' -You can't really blame anyone for your own lack of spiritual growth. Presently, you are exactly where you want to be. We have decided how faithful we want to be. Notice the word "let". (See Ephesians 4:28; Ephesians 4:31)

'THE PEACE OF CHRIST' -The type and quality of peace that Christ enabled and that He talked about (Ephesians 2:14)

'RULE' -1018. brabeuo brab-yoo'-o; from the same as 1017; to arbitrate, i.e. (genitive case) to govern (figuratively, prevail): -rule.

-'lit., be umpire...The previous references to occasions for meekness, long-suffering, forbearance, forgiveness, etc.., indicate. conflict of passions and motives in the heart.' (Vincent p. 504)

Point to Note:

The question that we need to ask ourselves is, 'What rules us?' Does. love for God? (2 Corinthians 5:14) What guards the entrance way into our minds? What is the sentry on duty? Hate? Selfishness? Self-Pity? Pride? Or the Peace of God? (1 Peter 4:7)

People whose minds are ruled by the peace of Christ, refuse any accept any idea, or course of action that doesn't harmonize with Christ's desire for unity among His people.

When we accept this as the final umpire--then: (a) We will start applying passages such as Matthew 5:23; Matthew 18:15. (b) Then we will make every effort to keep unity, every effort just short of doctrinal compromise. (c) We will see ourselves as expendable, our feelings, emotions, etc..as of secondary importance. Unity in the one body is the most important thing--not my feelings! (d) And we will find brethren apologizing when they need to when the peace of Christ is finally allowed to be the umpire in their lives.

When our emotions clash, Jesus Christ must be allowed to settle any dispute, 'The way to right action is to appoint Jesus Christ as the arbiter...and if we accept his decisions, we cannot go wrong.' (Barclay p. 159)

'TO THE WHICH ALSO YE WERE CALLED IN ONE BODY' -'to which indeed' (NASV); 'that is why you have been called as members of the one body' (Mof).

Points to Note:

1. Unity doesn't happen by accident and it isn't maintained by. minimum amount of effort or sacrifice (Ephesians 4:1). Things will try our patience, temptations will abound to say the wrong thing, to lash out, to divide, to become quarrelsome, to hold on to grudges, to roll over and over in our minds the short-comings of our brethren. At such. time we need to remember: (a) The tremendous price paid and effort put forth by God in bringing all of us into "one body". People who are impressed with the sacrifice of Christ, cannot treat the body of Christ lightly. (b) We must also remember Christ's prayer for unity among His disciples (John 17:20). (c) And that the purpose for being in one body is peace with God and each other.

2. The sacrifice of Christ, the peace He has brought to our lives in forgiving us of our sins, should act as an umpire to restrain anyone of us from harming, from jeopardizing the peace we have found in the one body.

3. It is. sad fact that many hungering souls, longing for peace, have only found. lot of strife in what is professed to be the "one body". Bruce notes, 'Strife inevitably results when men and women are out of touch with him who is the one source of true peace.' (p. 157)

4. God believes in the "one body". He will not endorse and neither will He accept. divided Christianity. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

'AND BE YE THANKFUL' -"Keep on becoming thankful." Continuous obligation.' (Robertson p. 505) 'Show yourselves thankful' (TCNT)

Points to Note:

1. Gratitude is. great defense against sin and strife. Gratitude is only possible when our minds shift from self to others. Ingratitude is. first step into sin (Romans 1:21) Gratitude is. constant theme (Colossians 1:3; Colossians 2:7; Colossians 3:17; Colossians 4:2; Ephesians 5:20).

2. Oh, what we have to be thankful for: (a) We are forgiven! We are the objects of God's longsuffering, mercy, compassion, love and favor. (b) We are in the body of Christ. (c) God hasn't held our past against us! (d) Look at the wonderful life (Colossians 3:8-14) that God has designed for the Christian. Look at what. can become. Look at the qualities that even. can demonstrate. Look at the path to peace, contentment and happiness that God has allowed even. person like myself to walk on.

3. Hendriksen notes, 'When. person is overpowered by the feeling of warm and deep appreciation for benefits received from God he will hardly be able to grudge someone else...' (pp. 159-160)

FINAL OBSERVATION:

At times we approach sections of Scripture like the above with the attitude of trying to find situations in which the above verses don't fit. We almost try to find. situation ethic, i.e. does God expect me to tell the truth if Nazi's are looking for Jews in my house??? We all know the familiar "what if's" that tend up come up in public and private classes. We dwell more on hypothetical situations, than applying these truths to the situation we are presently in. We tend to study more for the future or try to solve some assumed moral dilemna in the past, 'what if so and so happened...' Instead of thinking, 'how can. apply this right now? What situations, relationships, etc...in my life at this very moment need these qualities?

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS

chapter Colossians 3:16-25

OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY-MARK DUNAGAN