Christ Rules!

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Scripture
 
Col. 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Observation

If we are not careful a battle of authority will wage within our beings. Paul uses the language of “rule” here in regard to peace. It is a sporting word, much like an umpire who determines the call, or who wins the day. We are to allow Christ to be the one to make the calls in our lives, in complete and total submission to him and his will. This is where the Christian life must begin and it will lead to gratitude. This kind of peace means that we don’t have to live in fear or anxiety in regard to decision-making. Instead, we live in complete and total dependence upon the One who rules in our lives.

This leads to continual and on-going spiritual growth and development in the life of the individual. The word of Christ is to dwell in us and this can only be done by studying the word. This must be made a priority for far too many don’t spend the time necessary to know the word well enough to allow it to dwell in our lives, leading and guiding us on a daily basis. From this study we are to teach and admonish one another. This spiritual life is not to be lived in a vacuum, but to be lived out in community. This fellowship of believers are to have times of teaching, admonishing, and singing praise to God. The variety of music listed may just encourage our hearts as it seems that there are different types of music, including psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. These songs are to come from deep within our hearts of gratitude and should be sung as wholehearted praise to God.

When Christ rules in our lives and we spend time in study and worship, we will be transformed in action. The result is that everything that we do and/or say will be done in the name of Jesus. Our actions will be a thank offering to God.

Application

As we continue to celebrate resurrection power we come to understand the incredible ability of Christ to transform. This is what Paul understood and desired for those to whom he was ministering. I believe he prays this same prayer for all of us, desiring that Christ would so rule in our hearts that we would be transformed. The outline for the Christian life which he proposes is quite simple.

1. We are to allow Christ to rule in our hearts, to be the judge or the arbiter of our lives.
2. We are to live lives of gratitude, being thankful.
3. We are to study the Scriptures and allow the word to become a part of who we are.
4. We are to be a part of a community of faith who can teach and admonish one another.
5. We are to worship the Lord with gratitude. This includes singing a variety of songs and styles.
6. We are to live out our faith in action.
7. In every aspect of this Christian life we are to be giving thanks to God.

When Christ rules in resurrection power we are transformed. This becomes visible in all that we say and do and the result is God glorified.

Prayer

Lord, may the peace of our resurrected Christ live in me today and always. Amen.

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