Called to Peace

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

In the Old Testament, one of the sacrifices or offerings of God’s people was the peace offering. It was a special, voluntary offering brought to the sanctuary out of the overflow of the worshipper’s heart. The peace offering was a “gift” brought to the Lord by the worshipper.

The Hebrew word for peace offering (Shelamim) means “to complete or make whole.” The New Testament equivalent to this would be found in Ephesians 2:24 which says about Jesus that “He Himself is our peace,” (or peace offering). Jesus, of His own free will, voluntarily gave Himself as a gift for us. Jesus, our peace offering, is the One who makes us whole.

Through His sacrifice and our relationship with Him (according to Romans 5:1) we can have peace with God - a whole (no longer broken) relationship with God that will last into eternity. Paul says in his letter to the Colossians, “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.” The Amplified bible puts it this way: “Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. 

Peace should act as an umpire in our lives. Sometimes God will give you peace to stay when everyone and everything else is telling you to go. Sometimes God will give you peace to go when everyone and everything else is telling you to stay.

Peace should decide and settle questions that arise. We are called to live in peace.