Christmas Peace | Colossians 3:12-17

Christmas time is a wonderful time to think about all that Christ has done for us. It should be a time of Joy and full of love and peace. But many of us allow petty issues to divide us, especially between family and friends. Many at Christmas time don’t feel at peace. People are full of anxiety and are more easily offended.  The Apostle Paul encourages Christians to be at peace with one another:

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

When we get saved, we have peace with God. We who were once enemies of God have been reconciled with God. We then have the peace of God on our lives. As we face life’s problems, we can allow God’s peace to give us comfort. In the above verse (Col. 3:15) I believe that Paul wants us to be at peace with one another. We must yield to God and allow peace to rule in our hearts.

It is important to see a verse in its context. The previous verses promote mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness, and love. The following verse speaks of that which goes on in church with the preaching and teaching of the Word of God and “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” We see the need for peace with both the individual and the church as a whole. The “one body” is the church. Peace is to be the ruling factor. It needs to be a loving, heartfelt peace that we have with each other.

“And be ye thankful” – When we are full of gratitude to God for all he has done for us and give thanks for all those who God has put in our lives, it will be much easier to put aside petty issues and extend grace and love to others. When you see yourself becoming anxious or full of negative feelings towards someone else, stop and make yourself think about all the things you are thankful for, then allow the peace of God to rule in your heart!

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry