Follow the Peace - Part One
Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (The Passion Translation - TPT)
Dissect this verse with me:
- Guided by peace, but not just any peace. It is the peace of the Anointed One,Jesus Christ.
- Heart guided by peace. In this case we must consider that our heart becomes our spiritual ears to hear God’s directions for our life. How’s your hearing? How’s your heart?
- The peace we get is the peace Jesus Himself has and gives to us, and this guides us. Where does it come from? Remember the fruit of the Spirit that is mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Do you see peace in the mix? That is the Spirit’s peace that is being mentioned. But it can be ours as well.
- We must conclude that there are three paths of direction that we have a choice to follow. What are they?
- One is the path we are on. If we are abiding in Christ a fruit of His Spirit is peace. If peace is the climate of our life, then we are where we should be unless He directs us otherwise. How does He do this? He gives us crossroads that will take us down another path that is His choice for us. How do we know which one it is if it is not the path we are on? We need to look at the other two paths.
- The second path will include peace as a sign that it is the path the Anointed One is leading us to take. We need to listen and look for this sign.
- The third path will lack this peace, and it is an indication that it is a choice we should not take. No matter how good it looks with its enticements, do not take this path if you lack the peace of God about it. The Spirit within you is giving you this caution.
- What do we face in the path we choose? How do we know it is the Anointed One’s choice for us? Is His path without hardship? Is His path without risk? Is His path without danger? No, His path could include these things. We see them all the time. But there is peace in spite of it. Ask the many missionaries that live at great risk in other countries. There is danger, but there is peace. Therefore, we must conclude that knowing (or feeling) the Anointed One’s directions require knowing His voice.
- Why do we need to know the Spirit’s voice in our life? There are so many deceptive voices that mislead us and redirect us from God’s path. He will alert us to the right and wrong voice by His peace or lack of peace. We need to listen to our heart and His voice.
- Being able to discern the Spirit’s voice is much easier when we spend time with Him and in His word. This is where abiding in close proximity with Him is essential for this good, unhindered communication.
This week I would like to send out a few thoughts through my blog to cause you to think about good communications with the Lord. The scripture above needs some more dissecting to understand the marvelous map for our life that God has given us. We need to know how to read it, and this will be our objective. Join me with my next entry. Be blessed
Beloved of God.
