Thursday 23 October 2014

Background

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9) and there have been many snide andcynical versions of this saying. It doesn't inspire confidence is awicked world!

There is an incredulity in all human hearts that all we havelearnt about violence and force is fundamentally wrong, and thatthe Christ way is the only way that will actually win at the end ofthe day. Paul plays with this: 'Let peace rule'. But peace can'trule. Surely peace gets disturbed and broken too easily to ruleanything. Paul's invitation to "clothe yourselves" (v. 12) issimilarly an unlikely and almost playful metaphor. The writer ofEphesians goes further: 'Put on the whole armour of God' (Ephesians 5:11). Instead of physical armour weare given a whole list of human attitudes and characters which makeus vulnerable and easy prey to the violence of others (Ephesians 5:14-17).

But in Colossians this peace isn't just any peace. It is the'peace of Christ' that is to rule. Christ is God made Flesh. So weasked to be gentler than gentle with ourselves and others, sogentle that peace itself can rule; peace that can be rejected anddisturbed given our gracious permission to oversee our troubled andturbulent hearts. For Christ reveals in his peace the love thatmade all things and mends all things to God's glory.

To Ponder

• Allow the phrase, 'peace rule in you hearts', to touch you.Where are you ungentle with yourself or with others?

• Feel the vulnerability of trusting God's way of rule and givethat fearfulness to God in prayer.