We use a lot of metaphorical language in our faith. As a result, some things can be confusing. 

“Inviting Jesus into your heart.”
“Washed in the blood of the Lamb.”

These are all good, biblical ideas, but they can also be confusing if you don’t know the theological backstory.

Here’s another example: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:15) It’s an inspiring verse. It might be a bit more straightforward than those other examples. But if we don’t stop to think clearly about what it means, we might miss how we (or others) can benefit from it.

Let’s break it down.

First, your “heart” is clearly more than a muscle. In the Bible, your “heart” often refers to your place of deepest convictions and commitments; this includes not just feelings but thoughts.

Second, the “peace of Christ” is (a) a status you receive after having been given peace with God through Christ, and (b) a state-of-mind you increasingly experience. Tim Keller defines it like this: “A confidence and rest in the wisdom and control of God, rather than your own.”* That’s helpful. This is something that develops over time, and is something you can often see in more mature Christians as they experience life’s ups and downs.

Third, for that peace to rule in your heart, you need to be prepared to yield to a new King and Ruler in that deepest place of conviction and commitment. 

The word “rule” suggests a subject or servant. Tomorrow’s devotional will talk more specifically about how we train ourselves to welcome this new King and Ruler. But for now we simply need to acknowledge that every heart has a throne. If it’s occupied by your ego, or by a hundred other competing commitments, you won’t be at peace.

Why? Because the peace of Christ reigns when his throne is uncontested.

Who reigns on the throne of your heart? Is it your feelings, money, a romantic partner, a career goal, something else? If so, peace will be hard to find. Your heart was designed for one King, not many.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”

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Notes and extra content:

—Podcast and Blog: “10 Popular Things Jesus Said.” Click here, or find it on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ wherever you subscribe.

–“How does the Peace of Christ Rule in our Hearts?” Sermon. Click here.

–*Timothy Keller, Galatians For You (The Good Book Company, 2013), 154.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.