Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Hearts

12Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 14Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. 17Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. 18Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them. 20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged. 22Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. 23And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

What God wants from his people is a heart that resembles his own. When parents are diligent in serving, their children grow interested in sharing and service too, and when parents give themselves to God, we watch their children’s faith grow. The meaning and values a person lives by shape how they teach and discipline their children, and the direction of their own life as well. In the same way, God wants believers to hold right values, to intercede for one another in love, and to devote themselves to him in faith. It is for this that Jesus is still at work today, so that even one more soul may be saved before the last day.

Believers who have received such love must differ from the people of the world in how they approach life and in what life means to them. Rather than putting themselves at the center of everything, they should understand what gives life its worth and show the humility that lowers itself. Those who call God their Father must be poor in spirit and meek, and must hunger and thirst for righteousness. Only with a faith that knows how to give itself up, mourning for the sake of peace, need we not fear even the persecution that comes for righteousness’ sake. So the apostle Paul told them that, now that they had put on the new man, they were to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance. These belong to the character of God, and that is why they are also the virtues we must possess.

We wear clothes partly to protect the body, but also to cover our shame. That shame began with human sin: once Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and drifted away from God, they began making clothes for themselves. God had created only the two of them, so there was no one to see, yet they were ashamed of their nakedness and hid. In the same way, when we stray from what is right, or behave rudely and against plain sense, we feel ashamed even when we are alone, like Adam after he ate the fruit. This is because we judge good and evil with ourselves at the center. Before they ate, Adam and Eve felt no shame at being uncovered. Once they had eaten, they began to think as Satan thinks, and that is what made them ashamed of themselves, though they were God’s holy handiwork.

Because the world today does not live by God’s will, the good heart that bore the likeness of God’s image is growing ever more corrupt. People long to recover a good conscience, but without the word of Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit they can never regain it.

Genesis 3:7,21

7Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves. 21Yahweh God made coats of animal skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.

When Adam and Eve defied God’s word, they were afraid to face him, and when they realized they were naked, they sewed fig leaves together into clothing to cover their shame. God grieved over his children and sought them out, asking where they were, but sin held Adam back from coming to him. God’s love for Adam and Eve, who could not come to him because of their sin, never changed, yet he drove them out of the garden of Eden as his own law required. The garden held not only the tree of the knowledge of good and evil but also the tree of life, and for a sinner to eat its fruit and live forever would be hell itself. That is why he sent them out. God guarded the way to the tree of life, east of the garden of Eden, with cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way.

Not one thing of this world can enter the Kingdom of God. God knew that nothing earthly could enter his Kingdom, and yet he formed humankind from dust, the very stuff of this world; this is proof that he already knew we would sin. So the way for sinners to be forgiven and enter heaven is to have the faith that dies with Christ on the cross and puts off the flesh. And what made this whole way known to us was the coats of skins God clothed them with.

The fig leaves Adam and Eve made soon withered, and any they made again would wither as well. Earthly things wither like that, however much of them we have, which is why they never satisfy; but the coats of animal skins God put on them do not change, because they were made at the cost of an animal’s sacrifice, at the price of blood. The coats of skins were a foreshadowing that revealed Jesus to the world ahead of time. Through the garments of sheepskin God showed that someone had to die for forgiveness to be given, and he taught that everything made by human will is vanity of vanities.

Exodus 39:1

1Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as Yahweh commanded Moses.

God told them to make finely worked garments for the priests to wear when they served him in the holy place, and he commanded that holy garments be made for Aaron. He himself prescribed what the priests should wear, and in this way had them bear their holy office. It is just as he has clothed us, full of blemishes as we are, in the robe of righteousness. The garments of the high priest display the dignity, grace, and divinity of Christ, so not just anyone may wear them. When the priest performed the rites, blood was sprinkled to consecrate the garments, and this shows how closely the priestly garments are bound up with atonement.

Through the garments worn by the sanctified — the coats of skins, the priestly garments, the wedding garments of those who came to the marriage feast, and even the white robes worn by the saved — God has made us understand his mercy and forgiveness. Every one of these garments points to Jesus Christ. As God’s children, we have been given the blessing of wearing Christ’s perfect robe of righteousness. Because Christ’s sacrifice made peace between us and God, the robe of righteousness has covered the shame Satan brought upon us. Through Jesus’ victory, we have come to wear robes of glory. Clothes are everywhere in this world, in every kind and style, but the robe of righteousness can be worn only through faith in Christ, so for us to wear holy white robes is a very special blessing. Anyone who is not sanctified ends up wearing robes of their own making: the robe of self-regard, the robe of pride. You must do your utmost to live out your faith so that the holy white robe you now wear is not soiled.

When we come to church in the cleanest and best clothes we have, it can be seen as an expression of faith, but it is also courtesy toward God. We owe him the greatest possible courtesy, because he gave Jesus Christ over to death for us, who were bound for the everlasting fire of hell. Those of us who offer God praise and glory should worship in fitting clothes and with a pure heart. You yourselves would not wear just anything to an important occasion. This is the place where we bow before the God who broke Satan’s power and gave his Son over to death, so keeping such courtesy is simply what God’s people ought to do.

Colossians 3:12-14

12Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 14Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

God’s people have been loved by him, so they must act as people who are loved. Because those who have an eternal hope carry a noble dignity and a deep joy, their lives will surely look different from the lives of those who have not received God’s love. A believer who knows grace finds reason for thanks even in hardship, and so the very shape of their life shows how greatly God has loved them. Such a person has the mercy that takes pity and the kindness that warmly embraces, and through them others come to know the warmth of God’s character. Even when God gives them many talents and abilities, people of faith remain aware of their own shortcomings and ask for still more grace in order to build others up; that is how they can become God’s holy children. Holy believers do not wound people, harbor grudges, or take revenge into their own hands. This is because humiliating someone or speaking to them rudely is proof that one has never met the God who transcends human will and reason. Those whom God loves must have a gentleness that embraces others in every circumstance, bears long with them, and delights in commending them. Just as God shows courtesy to us, his creatures, we should always be courteous and speak and act with good sense.

To understand Paul’s wisdom, we must first come to know the truth itself and gain true knowledge. If we strive to live by God’s will, one day we will come to understand what Paul has been passing on to us all along. If you find yourself complaining about someone or resenting them, your heart has grown dark, and you should first examine your own faith. If you can admit your weakness and have the character to forgive others, you are a precious child of God who has received his mercy. Forgiving someone who torments you is hard and painful, but anyone who believes that God has forgiven their sins can forgive. Because the world is full of sin, we must strive to be good. When an evil impulse stirs and you overcome it with a good heart, you can live, imperfectly perhaps, as a child of God with no cause for shame. If you fail to govern evil feelings with goodness, your human nature shows itself just as it is; so if you would not be put to shame, you must beat your body and bring it into submission. As you strive to live after God’s image, the good in your heart grows larger and larger, and you can fend off Satan’s attacks. Only when we are built up on the rock of Christ in steadfast faith can we have a merciful heart, and so we need the endurance that submits to God. That is why the apostle Paul said they had been called to peace in one body and should be thankful, and that only with a thankful heart could the peace of Christ rule in their hearts.

Jesus said that he was gentle and lowly in heart and told us to take his yoke upon us and learn from him; in the same way, it is those who are gentle and humble in heart who can fulfill the calling God gives. [Matthew 11:29] When believers with humble and gentle hearts take the lead in the work, the church can naturally become one. This is because those who listen to others’ views, work through their differences, and discern what God wills cause everyone’s faith to grow. Because Satan is proud and cunning, he makes people lose their thankfulness and leads them to ruin, filling their hearts with temper until they are forever complaining. So it is the person without mercy who falls so easily for his schemes. If we insist on our own opinions, dismiss the views of others, and refuse to yield an inch, the church will slowly crumble. This is exactly what Satan wants, so we must persevere in order to become like Christ, who sacrificed himself, and strive for a gentle heart.

Deuteronomy says that the king was to keep the book of God’s law always beside him and read it; only so would he learn to fear God, keep every word and statute of the law, not lift himself up above his brothers, turn aside neither to the right hand nor to the left, and live a blessed life. [Deuteronomy 17:18-20] A king who bears responsibility for his people and strays from the word has no wisdom to discern Satan’s schemes, so his heart must always be filled with the word. In the same way, God’s people, and the heads of households and leaders among them, must hold the word in their hearts and arm themselves with humility and gentleness at all times, because only then can they live as those whom God loves. We must keep Jesus in mind at every turn of life. When you meet with injustice and anger, if you ask how Jesus would have resolved it, or what he would have said and done in so hard a situation, you can judge rightly. If you strive for a gentle heart, you can forgive others; and if your heart is holy, you will treat people as you would treat God, and so show what holiness looks like.

Colossians 3:23-25

23And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

Believers who resemble God’s character weigh carefully how God will see their words and actions, whether they are dealing with people or handling a task. A life spent striving like this to please God will be holy in itself and an example to others. The apostle Paul told wives that it is fitting in the Lord to be in subjection to their husbands, and told husbands to love their wives and not be bitter against them. He taught that children can obey their parents when their hearts are good, and that doing so pleases Christ. In telling wives to be in subjection to their husbands, he was not telling them to endure and submit even to what is unjust. He meant that if a husband sets his wife an example by a holy life and shows her love, as Christ loved the church, she should submit to him and serve him. God gave the wife to her husband as a partner to help him. If a husband is sacrificing himself for his home and family, as Christ gave himself to build the church, then the wife should do her utmost to serve him so that he can take on still more.

Proverbs 12:4 says that a worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a woman who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. And chapter 21, verse 9 says that it is better to live in a hut than in a large house with a quarrelsome woman. These verses show how important it is for a wife to use the wisdom God gives her to watch over her family and guard her home. A wife who has matured through the word and keeps her home well is a blessing her husband has received from God, so he must help her hold that place well. That is why it matters so much that a wife believes in God, and why finding a wise wife is a blessing to a husband as well. When Paul told husbands to love their wives and not be bitter against them, he meant this: if a husband sincerely loves his wife and family, as Christ gave his life for the church, his wife will respect and serve him of her own accord, without his ever demanding her submission. If he protects her with love, provides for her, and stands as a hedge around her, she will find peace in him and give herself all the more to the family. To fill this role as a husband, a man must know God’s word and have a holy character formed by an upright life.

Proverbs 30:17

17“The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns obedience to his mother: the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, the young eagles shall eat it.

Scripture teaches how great a sin it is for children to disobey their parents. If children are to obey like this, parents must first have a good character, integrity, and faith like those of Jesus. So the apostle Paul said that children should obey their parents in the Lord, for this is right; that they should honor their father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may be well with them and they may live long on the earth; and that fathers should not provoke their children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. [Ephesians 6:1-4] Children should not make a show of serving their parents while they are being watched, but should hold them in honor from the heart, just as Christ truly loved God. Children of holy character will honor and obey their parents, so parents must live lives that set an example their children can follow. Masters too, if they have good character, will be served sincerely by their servants. And God will guide the hearts of masters to show righteousness, fairness, and gratitude to servants who serve with all their heart.

If believers build steadfast faith and good character on God’s word, the church can become a warm community of love, gentleness, and honesty. Whatever we do, if we do it heartily, as for the Lord, we will not speak or act wickedly without thought, and our lives can then show the holiness of Christ. When we look at people rather than at God, resentment, dislike, and hurt rise up all at once and cloud a holy faith, which is why, however hard we try, we cannot find peace. So if we look not at people but at the Christ who forgave us, we may not be able to show boundless mercy as Jesus did, but we can still live as believers should.

All of us have been forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice. So if we strive to become lowlier and more humble, we will surely be able to become people who serve, love, and bear with one another. You are God’s precious children, who have put on the new man. If you now honor your brothers and sisters in Christ above yourselves, and grow into a character that serves and loves them, God will lift you up higher still. May you hold a great hope in God’s grace and live in this world without shame.