Our Priorities In Christ – Colossians 3.15-17

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3.15-17).[1]

      Paul had given us eight attributes of how we should be living as a new believer in Christ. Things which must be evident in our lives as we walk and talk with others about how Jesus Christ has made a difference in who we are. Now, he shifts from how we are to display what Christ has done in our lives to how these three priorities we must have specifically related to Christ within our lives.
      First, the Peace of Christ; Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14.27, ESV).[2] The word ‘peace’ conveys a relationship of love and loyalty with one another, because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, our war with God is finished and we are now at peace with God. Therefore, God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself,[3] Who, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (II Corinthians 5.21).[4] Thus we must not set our minds on the flesh which will lead to death but on the Spirit which will lead to life and peace (Romans 8.5).
      Peace with God is powerful and we must do all we can to maintain it including remaining in His love and loving the brethren. For as we love our fellow brothers and sisters in the church so we will love God. The love we have comes from God and can help us have peace with God and others if we will allow it to work in our life. The Apostle John wrote, “In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love” (I John 4.17-18, CSB).[5] When we have love and peace in our life we do not have to fear the end or God because we know Jesus Christ has paid it all, covered it all and we can stand with boldness in the throne room of God ready to meet our King and Master face to face (Hebrews 10.19-23).
      Second, Message of Christ; the Word of the Lord must have a home in our hearts and minds. The Psalmist said, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119.105). He also said, “I will hide Thy Word in my heart that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119.11). The Word of the Lord is valuable only if we are putting it in our hearts and minds. Paul in his letter to the Romans stated, “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ” (Romans 10.17, CSB).[6] See there are four aspects to the Message of Christ we must understand, we must hear the Word (Matthew 13.9), we must handle the Word (II Timothy 2.15), as already stated we must hide the Word in our hearts (Psalms 119.11), and we must hold fast to Word God (Philippians 2.16).
      When we put these four things together, we will be successful in allowing the Word of God, His message to dwell within our hearts and we will have the knowledge and understanding to help teach and correct others in the ways of God (Ephesians 5.14-21; Galatians 6.1-6).
      Do not miss this, we are all called to be teachers of the Word as well as students. Some of us are better than others but we all should be able to teach. Peter said we must be ready to give a defense for the Hope that lives within us (I Peter 3.15). This is the Living Hope we have made possible “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for us, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Peter 1.3-5, NASB95, my emphasis add).[7]
      Third, The Name of Christ, the goal of everyone of us should be to be Christ-like. We are ambassadors for Christ, therefore, wherever we go we are taking the name of Jesus Christ with us. Whether what we do is good or bad, we are showing the world Who Christ is, thus we must represent Him in a positive light. We must ask ourselves, “does our actions, words, and conduct reflect Who Jesus Christ is to those around us? Or are we showing those people something different?”
      The Name of Christ is serious, He died for us, and therefore, we should want to share His accomplishment with the world. We should be proud of what He has done for us, how He has saved us, and spared us from a life of misery and turmoil. So, let us “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13.14, ESV),[8] and no matter what we do “do everything for God’s glory, imitating Christ” (I Corinthians 10.31-11.1, HCSB, my emphasis added).[9]
 
Application
 

1. What kind of Peace do you have in our life? Do you have Christ’s peace or the world’s? Please explain.
   
2. Are you allowing the Message of Christ to dwell within you? Are you sharing His message with others? Why or Why not? Please explain.
   
3. How are you representing the Name of Christ? Do others know you are His child by your actions, what you say and do? Or, do they have NO idea you are a Child of God? Please explain.

 
Prayer
 
      Oh God, Savior of my Soul, Lord of Heaven and Earth, Hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Lord I ask today for Your peace to be more evident in my life. Help me to know the power of Who You are and help me to share Your Message with others. Lord, I know I do not do a very good job of carrying Your Name, and many times people do not know I am a Christian just by looking at me. Help me to be a better example of You, to Live my life to reflect You to those I see each day. Lord remove my sin, and blot out my transgressions so I my walk more honestly and uprightly for You. I thank You and Praise You today for all You will do in my life, in Jesus Christ’s powerful name, which is worthy of all glory and honor I pray, Amen.

[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Col 3:15–17). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 14:27). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[3] Ibid., (2 Co 5:18)
[4] Ibid., (2 Co 5:21)
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (1 Jn 4:17–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Ibid., (Ro 10:17).
[7] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (1 Pe 1:3–5). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 13:14). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[9] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (1 Co 10:31–11:1). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.