Three Guiding Principles

No matter what stage we are in life, we still need guidance. This is true physically and, more importantly, it is true spiritually. There are many places in the Bible to which we could turn to find principles of spiritual guidance, but for the purpose of this study, let us examine three guiding principles that Paul outlines in Colossians 3:15-17. Prior to giving these three principles, Paul has told the Colossians that they must be spiritually minded (Col. 3:1-4); that they must ”put to death” some things (Col. 3:5-7); that they must “take off” some things (Col. 3:8-11); and that they must “put on” some things (Col. 3:12-14). Then, having done that, they (and we) are to be guided by these principles.

Let God's Peace Rule

For the first guiding principle, Paul says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Col. 3:15, NKJ). Notice the word “let.” There is no exact corresponding word in the original language, but it is translated as part of the imperative verb. In English, however, “let” shows that we have a choice in the matter. God’s peace is available, but whether or not it rules in our heart is up to us! This “peace of God,” of course, can only come from Christ (Jn. 14:27; 16:33), who, through His blood, will put us in a right relationship with God (Eph. 2:14-22), when we obey His will and are thus added to His church (Acts 2:38-41, 47). The word translated “Let...rule” is from a Greek word that means to “act as judge or umpire.” In the first century world, the duty of an umpire at the games was to direct, arbitrate, and decide the contest. Thus, it is as if Paul is saying, “Let the peace of God decide as umpire in your hearts”!  Are we truly at peace with God? Do we allow this peace to govern our lives and stay at peace with God?

Let Christ's Word Dwell

For the second guiding principle, Paul says, “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” (Col. 3:16). Again, the word “let” has the same connotation as the previous verse. The word “dwell” means to “abide in,” “live in,” or “remain.” Thus, the word of God is to make its home in our hearts. In order for the word of God to do this, we must know it, understand it, and allow it to mold our thinking and guide our lives! Singing is one way that we allow the word of God to “dwell in” us (cf. Eph. 5:19). “Psalms” primarily refers to the Book of Psalms (Lk. 20:42; 24:44; Acts 1:20; 13:33; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19), which was the hymnal of God’s people in the Old Testament as well as in the early church. “Hymns” basically refer to songs of praise and adoration to deity. The noun occurs again only in Ephesians 5:19, but the verb occurs elsewhere, translated “when they had sung a hymn” (Mt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26), “singing hymns (Acts 16:25), and “I will sing praise” (Heb. 2:12). “Spiritual songs” are songs with spiritual meanings (Eph. 5:19). The “teaching and admonishing one another” indicates an assembly.  The point, however, is that we must be guided by God’s word, and for it to guide us, we must put it in our heart, and singing is one way we put God’s word in our hearts, and it is one way we keep it there! Does the word of God dwell in us? Are we “ teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”?

Do Everything in the Lord's Name

For the third guiding principle, Paul says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17). “In the name of” means “by the authority of” (cf. Mt. 4:10; Eph. 5:20). Unfortunately, many religionists today, take it to mean “dedicated to the Lord,” as if we can do whatever we want so long as we dedicate it to the Lord. Who are we, though, to determine what God wants? Many think that what they are doing is “in the name of the Lord,” when in reality, it is not (Mt. 7:22-23). The only way we can know we are doing everything “in the name of the Lord” is to do His revealed will for us (1 Jn. 2:3-6). Are we guided by obedience to God? If not, why not?