Give Him Room!

Give Him Room! 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15 KJV

Context: Paul was speaking to the 'elect of God', who had been chosen by God, washed by His blood and called into unity in the body of Christ, represented by His church. It doesn't matter what name I call myself or how people address me; if I don't belong, I don't belong. No amount of window-dressing, adherence to practices and conventions or hypocritical pretence can make it right;  I must belong to the elect of God to make a claim on the things that are on offer here.

Lessons: 1. It doesn't matter what the storms that rage on outside are. As long as I have sorted out my inner state, I will be alright. The reason why there is so much tumult in our hearts could be because we have not given God total control. We pray for his intervention, and when we are done praying, we pick up the burdens again, because we think God may not just know how to solve them. Until my heart's control centre is sorted, I cannot make a claim on the peace that God offers.

Lesson 2: This peace only applies if it is allowed to reign and rule. God will not share his glory with anyone or anything, and if he is not Lord over all, he is not Lord at all. Check out every man in the Bible who followed God with a divided heart and check out how their lives panned out. Ruling means being fully in charge, dictating daily pursuits and priorities. Can that be said to be the case in my own heart? Is God really the Lord of my heart or do I have some 'viable alternatives' lined up if the first option does not come through?

Lesson 3: As long as I claim part of the Body of Christ, I am called to walk in peace with other parts of the body. How can one body fight with its other members and be able to function normally? Unless I cut myself off the body of Christ, then can I totally avoid any issue of any kind, but if I will relate as God commands, I must remain part of His body, enjoy the blessings this union brings, and learn the lessons that interactions must also bring. God doesn't promise that there won't be issues; we all come from different backgrounds into the body of Christ, but the cords that bind us together are stronger than the issues that threaten to separate us. That is why he offers His peace now, ahead of whatever issues we may have to contend with. We fight over control, influence, position, power, culture and tradition, forgetting that Christ isn't returning for people who 'look' like Him, but for people who are IN Him when He returns. So, where are you presently located: just IN church, or truly IN Christ? 

Lesson 4: It ends in thanksgiving. When I consider all that Christ has done to bring me to where I presently stand, I know I am a product of grace, not good works. I am certain that it was the love of Christ that drew me to Him, not my good looks or amazing service. My one and only response then is to live in daily appreciation of all that I have received and presently enjoy. If I know it had nothing to do with what I earned or deserved, there is no room for pride. So, in appreciation of all that I am and have, and all I have come to know about this God of love who calls me to Himself and gives all of Himself to me, I say THANK YOU daily and regularly. Nothing more need be said. Would you also give Him room in your own life, so He can do what He has promised? He waits. His time of favour is here.