The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Shirmel Forde
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Col 3:15 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
We often feel that life’s demands are pulling us in different directions. For some, peace is relaxing with a tall glass of lemonade without any commitments to burden our minds. However, genuine peace is knowing that God is in control of every situation we encounter. It is a place of spiritual restoration and wholeness, being joined to God, led by His Spirit, and having an internal configuration of stillness amidst challenging situations. God’s peace induces worship and thanksgiving during trials and tribulations (cf. Acts 16:22–30). It arouses hope in overcast conditions and protects us from being overrun by fear and frustration.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Paul urges fellow Christians in Colossae to put on the new self. This shedding of the old self involves setting their hearts on things above (3:1–2) and putting to death their earthly nature that results in sin, including sexual immorality, anger, slander, and filthy language (3:5–8). Instead, they must clothe themselves with compassion, forgiveness, and love, resulting in perfect unity (3:12–14). He wants them to let the peace of Christ rule—i.e., act as a judge, referee, or umpire—in their hearts since, as members of one body (Eph 2:16), God calls them to peaceful living (Col 3:15; cf. Rom 14:19).
Peace is reconciliation to God through Christ, who is our peace (Eph 2:13–14). Therefore, we must press into our relationship with God, growing in the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). Our new nature must manifest in transformed behaviors, especially in how we treat others. Christ is our head, and we are members of one body (Eph 4:15–16). Therefore, we must interact no longer with envy and hatred but with love and thankfulness, letting the word of Christ dwell in us, counseling one another with wisdom, and singing with gratitude in our hearts to God (Col 3:16).
EXHORTATION
Therefore, having been joined to God through Christ, let us put off our old earthly nature, take up our cross, and follow Christ, committing ourselves to a daily journey of grace. This task will not be easy, but it is the only means of realizing God’s peace in our lives.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your peace that comes from being reconciled to You through Christ, who is cultivating in us a new nature. Thank you for reshaping our speech, behaviors, and attitudes by Your grace. Help us to be receptive to being transformed daily into the image of Christ, growing up in every way into Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.