How does the peace of Christ rule in our hearts?

Speaker: Matthew Ruttan

May 20, 2024

in Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, peace

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“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” Have you ever paused to really think through what that means?

It sounds like a very, very good thing. But what specifically is “the peace of Christ”? What about the reference to our “hearts”? (Clearly, Paul wasn’t talking about a blood-pumping muscle). And how can that peace “rule”?

When it comes to faith we often use nuanced, metaphorical, or even confusing, language. For example, how is a child or a newcomer supposed to understand what it means to “invite Jesus into your heart” or a reference to being “washed in the blood of the Lamb”? Even for more mature Christians, we can lose focus on important concepts (like the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts) if we don’t deliberately think through what they mean, and then apply those meanings to our daily discipleship.

If the peace of Christ is one of the most valuable and amazing things in the world (which it is), and if the peace of Christ has the capacity to make our lives and the lives of the people we love better (which it can and does), shouldn’t we be clear about what it is and how to obtain it?

This sermon seeks clarity on these exact questions as it explores Colossians 3:1-17.