Chasing the Wind

Today’s Daily Manna verse is beautiful reminder of the joy of Christian living. In Colossians 3:15-17,

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

• Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Are you a stressed Christian? We should remember that the battle is already won, and that we have already begun our eternal life. So what is there to worry about? We are called to peace, and peace should be overwhelming our hearts. Surrender the stress, give it up. Chill, dude. 😛
• And be thankful. Don’t just be peaceful, be thankful. Even if (or perhaps especially if) you are going through struggles right now, be thankful that God is working on your character as only He can.
• Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Teaching and admonishing one another is something that seems to be too often pushed aside in favor of acceptance. Yes, of course, Jesus calls us to be accepting and loving of one another. The amount of time Jesus spent in the company of sinners is not lost on Christians, but remember Jesus said, “Go and sin no more.” We are called to speak out against the sin but accept the sinner.
• And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever we do, word or deed. Before a word comes out of your mouth, before you contemplate getting that little dig at somebody or extract some petty revenge or criticize them behind their back, in all things remember that Jesus paid the price for your sins as well as theirs. Give thanks in everything, in all your words and deeds.

Such a short verse that covers so much. Do I do all of these things at work, when I post, when I greet my wife at the end of the day? This is a good time to admonish myself and make sure I have a good strong control of my tongue and of my typing and remember that all these things belong to the One who created me.