Living By Faith Blog

What is the peace of Christ?

The phrase appears once in the Bible — in Colossians 3:15 —

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.

So this verse teaches that —

• there is such a thing as the peace of Christ
• the peace of Christ can rule in my heart
• the peace of Christ is not always ruling in my heart
• there is something I can do to have the peace of Christ rule in my heart

So — what is the peace of Christ?

It’s something we feel

The word “peace” refers to a feeling.

It’s the opposite of feeling worry or frustration or despair or boredom.

It’s how we feel when everything is good — when our circumstances are bringing us full and lasting joy and pleasure.

But this peace does not depend on circumstances.

Which is why Paul calls it —

The peace OF CHRIST

The peace of Christ is a feeling of peace that is given to us by Christ when we trust — not our circumstances — but all that God promises to be to us in Christ.

Try this —

Think about what you are feeling right now.  Maybe it’s fear, or frustration, or boredom.

Now — set your heart on the following promises.  Read my summaries, but especially the verses, slowly and prayerfully.  Notice what happens in your heart as you look to God’s promises and trust Him —

• to forgive all your sins so forever He will love you and fulfill all His promises to you (Rom 3:23-24; Rom 8:1; 2Cor 5:21)
• to fully satisfy your heart now and forever in Himself (in who He IS — not in what He GIVES) (Psa 16:11; John 6:45; John 7:37-38; Phil 3:8-9)
• to keep you from stumbling all the way to heaven (Phil 1:6; Jude 1:24-25)
• to reward your obedience with even more joy in Him (John 14:21; Matt 5;8; Heb 12:14)
• to orchestrate every event in your life (including trials) to bring you even more joy in Him (Jer 29:11; 2Cor 4:16-18; 1Pet 4:12-13)
• to give you everything else you need in such a way that you are fully and lastingly satisfied in Him (Phil 4:13; James 1:5; Phil 4:19; Mat 6:33; 2Cor 9:8)

What happened in your heart?

Ask yourself —

• Were you assured that through Christ you are completely forgiven and loved by God?
• Did you taste Christ as your all-satisfying Treasure — so you wanted Him more than sin, more than anything?
• Did you see that Christ will keep you in the faith all the way to heaven?
• Did you trust that He would reward every step of obedience with even more joy in Him forever?
• Did you see that you don’t need to fear any trial — because He will orchestrate everything to bring you even more joy in Him?
• Did you see that He will provide everything else you need (wisdom, finances, strength, children, marriage, friends, work, career) in whatever way will give you the greatest joy in Him?

If so — then you experienced the peace of Christ.

If not — don’t be discouraged.

Ask yourself — which of the above truths were you not trusting?

Pray over those Scriptures until you feel the Holy Spirit strengthening your faith and changing your heart.

As He does — you will experience the peace of Christ.

My definition

So what is the peace of Christ?

The peace of Christ is the feeling of peace that comes from tasting Christ as your highest joy and trusting that He will do everything necessary to bring you even more of His joy.

And Paul calls us to “let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.”

What does that mean?

Even though we have been saved, we won’t be free from sin until heaven.

In the meantime — we still have sin in us.

Picture sin like enemy soldiers trying to conquer your heart.

A militia of worry is attacking from the left — a cavalry of greed is charging on the right — a battalion of boredom is advancing head-on.

But we have the sword of the Spirit — the Word of God.

And when we ask for the help of the Holy Spirit — and pray over Jesus’ promises in His Word — that sword will be unsheathed and will mow down the militia of worry, the cavalry of greed, and the battalion of boredom.

And the peace of Christ will rule.

To war!

Comments?  Feedback?

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And here are some related posts you might find helpful —

• How Jesus Frees Us From Fear (4-Min Video -- With French Fries)
• How To Be Content
• Fearful or Worried?
• 6 Reasons Heart-Satisfaction Is Crucial