Letting Peace Be the Umpire
Let It Be So: A Devotional Journey Through Scripture’s Commands — Devotion 10 of 12
Colossians 3:15 — “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
Opening Reflection
This verse sits in the same chapter as devotion three, just a sentence earlier - part of the same list of qualities believers are told to put on: compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, and now peace.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” The Greek word behind “rule” (brabeuō) is drawn from athletic contests - an umpire or judge who decides, settles disputes, and awards the outcome.
Peace is given a ruling role here: not as a private feeling that settles every personal decision, but as the governing principle when competing desires, offenses, and disagreements threaten the life of Christ’s people.
Taking a Devotional View
“Called in one body” makes the corporate setting impossible to miss. The peace of Christ is to govern believers together, especially when offenses and competing claims threaten unity. A private sense of calm that quietly ignores real discord in the body is not the full peace Paul has in view.
“Be thankful” is appended almost as a summary command, and Paul will echo it again in the very next verses. Thankfulness appears to be both the fruit and the safeguard of a heart genuinely ruled by Christ’s peace.
Key Thoughts & Takeaways
Key Thoughts
- The word for “rule” is drawn from athletic judging, giving the memorable picture of Christ’s peace acting as an umpire where competing claims and conflicts arise (Colossians 3:15).
- Believers are called to this peace “in one body,” making corporate unity central to the command rather than treating inner calm as a private decision-making signal (Colossians 3:15).
- The command sits among a list of qualities believers are told to “put on” as those raised with Christ (Colossians 3:12-15).
- Thankfulness is joined directly to peace, marking the atmosphere it produces (Colossians 3:15).
Ask Yourself
- Where is an offense, grievance, or competing desire keeping Christ’s peace from governing the way you relate to others?
- How does the image of peace as an “umpire” change the way you handle disagreement within the body of Christ?
- Is there a relationship where your private peace has ignored real discord in the body?
- What would it look like today to let thankfulness follow directly from letting peace rule?
Lord, let Your peace be the umpire where desires, offenses, and disagreements compete for control. I was called to this peace as part of one body; let it govern how I treat others, not merely how calm I feel inside. And let thankfulness follow close behind. In Jesus’ name, amen.