Dr. Robert C Crowder
Reading:
Isaiah 32:17-18 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
Colossians 3:12-15 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Reflection:
Isaiah saw a profound truth: “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Peace is not arbitrary or disconnected from holy living. It flows naturally from a righteous character. Seven centuries later, Paul echoed this principle in his letter to the Colossians, a church battling false teaching; legalism mixed with mysticism, human philosophy masquerading as spiritual wisdom. Into that confusion, Paul brings clarity: the Christian life is not about following elaborate rules or achieving higher states of knowledge. It is about being clothed with the character of Christ and allowing His peace to govern the heart. Paul commands: clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and love; and then let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Isaiah’s vision and Paul’s command teach the same truth: peace is not simply a feeling we hope to experience occasionally; it is the ruling principle of a life fully surrendered to Christ. Peace reigns where righteousness dwells.
The passage begins with identity: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved…” Before Paul gives any command, he reminded believers who they are. We are chosen by God (elect), set apart for His purposes (holy), and deeply loved (beloved). Our obedience does not flow from insecurity, trying to earn God’s acceptance. It flows from security, resting in the acceptance already given. We obey because we are loved, not to become loved. This is the foundation of peace; knowing that our standing with God is settled, secured by the finished work of Christ.
From that identity flows the command to “put on” certain virtues: “bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” The metaphor is deliberate; these are garments we clothe ourselves with daily. Just as we dress our physical bodies each morning, we must intentionally put on the character of Christ. These are not natural qualities; they are supernatural graces produced by the Holy Spirit in those who abide in Christ (Galatians 5:22–23).[1] Notice the pattern: mercy toward those who fail, kindness in actions, humility in thinking of ourselves, meekness in strength under control, and longsuffering in patience with others.
Paul then addresses the reality of conflict: “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Forbearance means bearing with one another’s faults, enduring offenses without retaliating, giving grace in the face of imperfection. Forgiveness means releasing the debt, choosing not to hold the offense against the brother. The standard is Christ Himself; “even as Christ forgave you.” We were enemies of God, dead in trespasses and sins, without excuse or merit, and Christ forgave us fully and freely. How then can we withhold forgiveness from a fellow believer? To refuse forgiveness is to deny the gospel we claim to believe.
Then comes the apex of the passage: “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Love (agape) is the garment that holds all the others together. Without love, mercy becomes patronizing. Without love, kindness becomes manipulation. Without love, humility becomes false modesty. Love is the “bond of perfectness,” the ligament that binds the body together in maturity and unity. It is the greatest virtue[2] because it most fully reflects the character of God, for “God is love.”[3]
Now Paul gives the command at the heart of this passage: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” The word “rule” translates the Greek brabeuo, which means to act as an umpire, to arbitrate, to decide disputes. In athletic contests, the umpire’s decision is final; what he says stands. Paul is saying that the peace of God should function as the umpire in our hearts, the deciding factor in every decision, the arbitrator of every conflict.
When we face a choice and our hearts are unsettled, anxious, or divided, that is the peace of God ruling, or rather, the absence of peace revealing that we are moving in the wrong direction. Conversely, when we obey God’s Word and our hearts settle into calm assurance, that is the peace of God affirming our path. This is not the same as emotional comfort or the absence of challenge. Paul himself had “no rest in [his] spirit” when he couldn’t find Titus,[4] which guided his decision-making. The peace of God is the Spirit’s witness within us that we are walking in the will of God.
Notice that this peace operates “in one body.” Peace is not merely individual; it is corporate. The church is called to unity, and the peace of God is how that unity is maintained. When believers walk in humility, forbearance, forgiveness, and love, the peace of God rules among them. Division, strife, and bitterness are signs that something other than God’s peace is ruling; pride, selfishness, or unforgiveness has taken the umpire’s seat.
Paul concludes with a command that might seem out of place but is central: “and be ye thankful.” Gratitude is the soil in which peace grows. A thankful heart recognizes God’s goodness, acknowledges His provision, and rests in His sovereignty. Conversely, an ungrateful heart breeds discontent, anxiety, and strife. When we cultivate thankfulness; even in trials, even in conflicts, even in uncertainty, we create the conditions for God’s peace to rule.
The passage ends with the remedy for maintaining this peace: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”[5] Peace thrives when Christ’s Word saturates our minds. When Scripture dwells richly within us, it shapes our thinking, corrects our errors, and guides our steps. And when the body of Christ teaches, admonishes, and worships together in truth, the peace of God reigns corporately.
Let this Advent season remind you that Christ came not only to bring peace to the world but to reign in your heart as its Prince. Surrender every area of your life to His rule. Let His peace be the umpire that decides your conflicts, directs your decisions, and governs your relationships. When you walk in humility, practice forgiveness, and clothe yourself with love, the peace of God will rule: and it will be evident to all.
Prayer:
- Ask the Lord to rule your heart with His peace today, helping you clothe yourself with humility, mercy, and love.
- When conflicts arise, pray that His peace would arbitrate, and when decisions loom, that His peace would guide, and in all things, pray for a heart of gratitude.
Consider:
Write a thank-you note or message to someone who has quietly and consistently reflected Christ’s peace in your life, perhaps a family member, a friend, a pastor, or a mentor. Be specific about how their character has pointed you to Christ. Then, spend time in prayer, asking God to make you that kind of person for someone else.
[1] Galatians 5:22-23
[2] 1 Corinthians 13:13
[3] 1 John 4:8
[4] 2 Corinthians 2:13
[5] Colossians 3:16
Robert C. Crowder Ministries 
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