Tuesday – July 5, 2016
It is time for our Tuesday dose of the Word of God but first I want to remind us all to pray for the many governments of the United States and also pray for our Canadian friends to the north. I have pictured the Provincial map of Canada, the Canadian Flag, and a globe positioning Canada in the earth. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) Now I will return to our Scripture text in the Book of Colossians.
Colossians 3:11-15 (KJV)
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
The Apostle Paul makes the point here and elsewhere that God does not divide us by groups. That is not to say that we are all equal except at the point of salvation. In the natural we are equal at birth we are not all equal following that time. In America and in the Kingdom of God there is equal opportunity but not equal outcomes. Each of us, not our parents, not even God determines our own outcome. This is true in America and this is true in the Kingdom of God. Just another evidence that this nation was based on Godly principles. We the people of God are to be one body, working together. Since we all have likely made mistakes (sinned) and have received mercy from people and our Heavenly Father it is our duty to show mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering (patience), forgiving, avoiding quarrels, reacting in love (selflessness, Blood Covenant, and obedience to the Word) toward others.
Then we come to Colossians 3:15 where we are encouraged to make the decision, to choose, to allow the peace of God rule in our heart. From the King James Translation the word ‘let’ and ‘rule’ are not separate in the Greek but divided I suppose for English translation and understanding. None the less there is the idea of choice. You and I many times a day chose between death and life by what we think about, what we receive into our thinking, what we say, and what we do. The word ‘let’ and ‘rule’ are the Greek word transliterated meaning to arbitrate, to govern, prevail, rule, or umpire. The word translated ‘God’ in the King James Translation is translated Christ in other versions and that is likely most accurate since the Greek word is Christos. Let me give a quick reminder concerning this word ‘Christ’. It is not Jesus’ last name, it is a title or function. It means Messiah, Anointed One, or the Anointing depending on context and frequently all three. The first coming or Advent of Jesus (Anointed One) not only brought the innocent Lamb (Messiah) but brought the Holy Spirit (The Anointing) back into the earth for all persons. As I conclude for today I don’t think it is difficult for any of us to imagine that a great deal of peace is available because of the Savior, Messiah. A great deal of peace is available in becoming as the Anointed One, we are the anointing or anointed ones in the earth and Heaven. Peace in a word might be translated security or wholeness in Him. Finally we can easily imagine the peace that comes with the anointing of the Holy Spirit and His indwelling us. Until tomorrow let us walk like Jesus walked, constantly led of the Spirit for the glory of God.
By Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
