Called to Christ

Colossians 3:15 (New International Version)

[15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.


Peace. What is peace? Let's take a look at the definition straight out of the original.

1) a state of national tranquillity
    a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war
2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
4) of the Messiah's peace
    a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is6) the blessed state of devout and upright men after death

Check out some of these definitions! Particularly take attention to 3, 4 and 5--these are the aspects of peace I'm going to highlight.

3) Security, safety, prosperity, felicity

I think we all can agree that we know about this part of peace. It's family at Thanksgiving, it's the lion playing with the lamb, it's a little touch of heaven-meets-earth.

4) of the Messiah's peace
       a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)


From this definition we get a new idea of peace; that it is a product of salvation. We see that Jesus gave us peace on the cross, a product of his most distressful time on earth. This peace comes after and as a product of tribulation. It is a victor's peace. To expound a little further on this, lets move on to 5.

5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

So peace is security and assurity--that Christ has brought us salvation and that God has pardoned our transgressions. Peace is a knowledge and perception of God.

So let's take another look into Colossians 3:15

[15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

What does it mean to be called to peace? What peace is Paul talking about here?

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:7

It struck me this morning as I myself was looking up the definition of peace. We are called to peace--we are called to salvation--to the assurity of knowing God as our redemption--to that which 'transcends all understanding.' Definition 3) Security, safety, prosperity, felicity of what? Definition 4) of a Messiah--of salvation. Salvation from whom? Definition 5) salvation through Christ. Result? (5 cont) and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. We are called to peace--we are called to Christ.

[20] May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
[21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. -Hebrews 13:20-21