"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful."   (Colossians 3:15 ESV)

This lesson defines the peace of Christ and explains how we can have the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts.  Bible verse quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless indicated otherwise (Ref. 1).

     Consider.  Do you have the peace of Christ ruling in your heart?

     As believers in Christ, our hearts are calm and tranquil because we know we are saved by God's grace through faith in Christ (Thayer's Greek Lexicon - Ref. 2, Ephesians 2:8-9).  We have the peace of Christ in our hearts because we know that God loves us and has forgiven our sins (Romans 5:1, Romans 5:8, 1 John 1:9).  We have the peace of Christ in our hearts because we know we have received God's gift of eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 6:23, John 10:27-28).

When we trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have nothing to fear from God.  We have peace with God.  Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14:1 NKJV).

     On the night before his crucifixion and death, Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure from them.  Jesus told them about this precious gift that he was giving them -- his peace.  Jesus gave them -- and he gives us, people who have faith in him -- the same gift, his peace.  Jesus says, "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).

The things of the world will not give us peace (1 John 2:15-17).  Only Jesus, the one whose nature is peace, gives us true peace, the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).  True peace, the peace of Christ, is tranquility of our soul despite the worldly circumstances around us. 

     The Greek word translated as "rule" in Colossians 3:15 means to direct and control (Thayer's Greek Lexicon - Ref. 3).  To have the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts, we must yield completely to God's direction and control of our lives -- present and future.  Don't be like Jonah who knew God's will for him and then rebelled against God (Jonah 1:1-3).  Be like our Lord Jesus who lived on earth to do his Father's will (John 6:38) and said to his heavenly Father, "not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42 KJV). 

When we trust God and are yielded to God's will for us in each of life's circumstances, we will know the peace of Christ.  The apostle Paul writes, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).  The peace of God [that peace which reassures our heart] keeps our thoughts and our hearts quiet and at rest as we trust in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 AMP, Philippians 4:7 TLB).   

     The Lord Jesus, by his blood shed on the cross, has made Jewish and Gentile believers into one (Ephesians 2:11-14).  He has made believers of diverse (ethnic, national, gender, economic, civilized/uncivilized, etc.) background into one body (Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11, Ref. 4).  He also calls us -- as diverse and uniquely gifted believers -- to live in unity as one body of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6, Colossians 3:15, 1 Corinthians 12:12).  Yet, Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).  We can live with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the peace of Christ when we put on a heart of compassion, have patience with one another, forgive one another, and love one another as the scriptures instruct and as Jesus commanded (Colossians 3:12-14, John 13:34).

     An "attitude of gratitude" is a hallmark of a Christian who is at peace with God, themselves, and other people.  Through Christ, we can be thankful through difficult circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  We have the peace of Christ knowing that our Lord Jesus loves us, has forgiven us, is with us in the present, and assures us of our future with him (Philippians 4:4-7, John 14:2-3 AMP).

     Prayer.  Lord Jesus, I yield control of my life to you.  I submit to your will and direction for my life.  Come, Lord Jesus, and rule in my heart.  Thank you for giving me your peace.  Help me to live in peace with others and to share you, the giver of peace, with others.  Amen.

Related Lessons
"The Remedy for a Troubled Heart (John 14:1)"
"The Peace of Believing Prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)"
"What is Eternal Life?" - John 17:3

References
1.  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/
2.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm
3.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1018.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/colossians/3.htm
Barnes Notes on Colossians 3:11