Sherry and I were talking about three super important things to remember today! WE HAVE Christ’s peace, Christ’s word, and our Lord’s name! That gives us THE VICTORY each day.
Colossians 3:15-17:
And let the PEACE OF CHRIST [in the Greek text] rule [umpire, judge] in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Let the WORD OF CHRIST dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
THE PEACE OF CHRIST
We are all called upon to make decisions each day. We can make them with God’s blessings when we have the peace that Christ gives to us. When we know that we are justified by faith, we are at peace in our hearts.
Romans 5:1:
Therefore being justified by faith, WE HAVE PEACE with God THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
We are no longer far from God. Christ makes us a part of his body, and we are at peace with other believers. We are spiritually united and all have access directly to our Father. The “spirit of Christ” dwells in us.
Ephesians 2:13,14,17,18:
But now IN CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh [near] by the blood of Christ.
For HE IS OUR PEACE.
And came and PREACHED PEACE.
For through him we both [Judean and Gentile] have access BY ONE SPIRIT unto the Father.
The Greek word translated “rule” in Colossians 3:15 is brabeuō. It was used in Greek culture regarding making judgments in athletic competitions. If we want to win life’s great spiritual prizes, we must have Christ’s peace in us when making decisions. AND we remember that we are part of a body that can support us. Sherry and I pray for each other and speak scripture to each other throughout the day. This helps us SO MUCH.
The word brabeuō is ONLY found in Colossians 3:15. But Paul used a related word [brabeion] when he wrote to believers in Corinth and Philippi, two cites that had major athletic competitions.
1 Corinthians 9:24:
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth THE PRIZE [brabeion]? So run, that ye may obtain.
In this life, we are to “run” for God and serve our Lord Jesus with the idea of winning a prize. What is that prize? Blessings in this life, and spiritual rewards throughout eternity.
Philippians 3:14:
I press toward the mark for THE PRIZE [brabeion] of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The peace of Christ will allow us to run a good race and receive every spiritual reward that God has called us to receive by our good works in this life [Ephesians 2:10]. We know that when Christ returns for us, we will be rewarded. So, we move forward to that “high calling” we have in Christ.
THE WORD OF CHRIST
The entire Bible is God’s Word regarding His Son, Jesus Christ. We need to decide each day what truth from scripture will best help us live for God. One key to remember is that the Bible has different applications in different times because of God’s relationship to people. The Old Testament shows Adam and Eve, the patriarchs, the Law of Moses, and the psalms and prophets that foretold of Christ. The Gospels show Jesus’ earthly ministry fulfilled and his resurrection and ascension to the Father. The epistles show us who Christ is INSIDE us today individually and as his body. When we ask the Father, he will bring the needed truths to our remembrance.
Jesus promised that God’s spirit within us would help us remember the “word of Christ.”
John 14:26:
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost [holy spirit, the spirit of Christ, God dwelling in us], which the Father will send in my name, it shall teach you all things, and BRING ALL THINGS TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE, WHATSOEVER I HAVE SAID UNTO YOU.
We are to let Christ’s word dwell in us RICHLY. The word translated “richly” in Colossians 3:16 is used three other places in the Bible.
1 Timothy 6:17:
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us RICHLY all things to enjoy.
God gives us what we need to live an abundant life in Christ. We don’t trust in the uncertainty of earthly riches, but in our loving Father, the LIVING GOD. He wants us to richly enjoy our lives.
Titus 3:5,6:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost [holy spirit];
Which he shed on us ABUNDANTLY through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
We aren’t saved by our own efforts, but by the completed work of Christ. God ABUNDANTLY poured forth His spirit upon us when we were renewed by being born again [Romans 10:9].
2 Peter 1:11,12:
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you ABUNDANTLY into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
In Peter’s final letter, he reminded the disciples that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and we will receive ABUNDANT everlasting rewards in him. Peter brought truths to their remembrance so they would be established today. We do the same for each other!
IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS
Remember that WHATSOEVER ye do in word or deed, we are to do all IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks to God [our Father] by him.
God gave Jesus authority and made him Lord over ALL THINGS when He set our risen Lord at His own right hand.
Philippians 2:9-11:
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him A NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father.
Now we have that authority in Christ’s name to carry out the Father’s will. We can do even greater things than Jesus did in his earthly ministry, because he went to the Father’s own right hand.
John 1:12:
But as many as received him, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER [AUTHORITY] to become the sons of God, even to them that BELIEVE ON HIS NAME.
John 14:12-14:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that BELIEVETH ON ME, the works that I do shall he do also; and GREATER WORKS than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask IN MY NAME, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask ANY THING IN MY NAME, I will do it.
What a joy it is to know that WE HAVE Christ’s peace, Christ’s word, and our Lord’s name! We make peaceful, lasting decisions; we believe to receive the promises in the gospel, and we claim victory in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen and hallelujah! What a great day to live with Christ’s peace, word, and the authority of his name.
Amen. I love you.
