Yesterday's Bible Study |
Is this verse from Colossians, Paul instructs the church at Colossae to let peace rule in their hearts and to be thankful. His instructions apply to our lives today. Does the peace of God rule in our hearts? Are we thankful? These questions are an opportunity to honestly assess where we are. Today, we'll think about what peace means and what thankfulness looks like.
When you think of peace, what comes to your mind? I think of a tranquil landscape, perhaps a soft river and clear sky. There is nothing disruptive about that environment; everything is gentle and calm. In the same way, our hearts should be calm, meaning they are not easily disturbed. Even though this world is full of surprises and some of them are not good, we are able to remain confident and firm in our beliefs and hope in the Lord. This brings us peace.
It is possible to have peace in all circumstances when we recognize that God is working through everything. Nothing happens that is beyond His jurisdiction. He knows and cares about everything in our lives and He will sustain us through everything that comes our way.
If we hear tragic or disturbing news, it is not possible to have peace--unless we have an anchor that goes deeper. The love of the Lord is this anchor. Nothing can compromise His love, and nothing can ever take it away. His love is the firm foundation on which we can build and return to our peace.
|
|
The second instruction Paul gives is to be thankful. As Christians, we have much to be thankful for. Because of Jesus, we have new life. We are no longer enslaved to sin, and we are loved by God more than we could ever understand. We should respond to His love with gratitude because the grace that He has shown is better than we could ever have imagined.
Thankfulness is the natural response to the saving grace of God. A heart of gratitude changes the way that we respond to adversity and other trials. It helps us recognize that our current circumstances are in the hands of a loving God who can always be trusted. Because of this, we are able to put on both peace and thankfulness in our hearts.
|
|
|
|
|
|