Sep 23
Midweek service
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Where are we in the Bible?
Colossians gives present-day readers a glimpse into the life of the first-century church. The letter introduces the people who made up the Christian community, the challenges they faced, and the questions they wrestled with. It also shows how believers were called to live out their faith in the world and in their daily lives.
Throughout Colossians, faith is shown through the way believers live. Chapter 3 begins with the call to “seek those things which are above” (3:1–4), urging believers to live according to their new life in Christ. This new way of life is seen in the virtues they practice and in how they treat one another within the community (3:5–15). Their conduct reflects their identity as those who have been raised with Christ and now belong to Him. Colossians 3 teaches that this new life, grounded in baptism and union with Christ, is marked by peace, which should shape the life of the entire congregation.
Summary:
In Colossians 3:1–15, Paul reminds believers that because they have been raised to new life in Christ, they are called to put away their old way of living, put on Christlike character, and let their new identity be seen in loving relationships, forgiveness, unity, and the peace of Christ. As Christ’s peace rules our hearts and shapes the life of the whole church, we are moved to pursue what promotes peace, live with gratitude for all God has given us, and truly act like the new people He has made us to be.
NOTE: On 21 September, the world marks the International Day of Peace. Today, amidst staggering volatility, the search for peace feels overwhelming—but it has never been more urgent. Peace is more than the absence of war; it is the foundation necessary to collectively tackle humanity’s challenges. It is the lived experience of safety, dignity, opportunities and cooperation in our daily lives.
Under the theme Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day, this year’s Day of Peace honours the ‘everyday architects of peace’ - people driving local action, laying the groundwork for stability, and building a lasting peace from the ground up.
Foundational Reading
Scripture: Colossians 3:1-15
Catechism: 6.2.3.1
Services held in Houston Spring congregation