Let peace rule
Today's focusAs God's chosen and beloved people, believers 'put on' compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and longsuffering, forgive one another, and let the peace of God rule their hearts.
Read
12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Reflection
In this passage, you are addressed as "the elect of God, holy and beloved." Because you belong to Him, you are invited to "put on" a new way of living, much like dressing yourself in fresh garments. These qualities include "bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." These are not just internal feelings, but active ways of treating the people around you.
Living this way requires "forbearing one another" and offering forgiveness whenever a "quarrel" arises. You are encouraged to forgive others "even as Christ forgave you." Over all these virtues, you are to "put on charity," which acts as a "bond of perfectness" that holds everything together in unity.
Finally, the passage tells you to "let the peace of God rule in your hearts." This peace is not something you must create on your own; rather, it is something you are "called" to as part of "one body." As you allow God’s peace to take the lead in your life and relationships, remember also to "be ye thankful."
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Which 'garment' in this passage do you need to deliberately put on before your next difficult conversation?
Pray
Father, thank you that I am chosen and loved by you. Clothe me with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Let your peace rule in my heart, and make me thankful.