Peace is an Umpire

Paul gives believers important advice in Colossians 3:15, writing:

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…

“Let” here does not mean that this is optional – this is what the Holy Spirit wants for every believer.  Peace translates the Greek word: irene.  In the Bible, peace does not mean a simple absence of conflict, but a wholeness – a fullness –a total lack of want or need.  The total sufficiency of God is to “rule” in our hearts – which is our whole mental, emotional and volitional inner self – is what is in view here.

The word “rule” here translates the Greek “ βραβεύω “ which means to rule as a judge, or even as an umpire calls a game.  As we go through our time on this planet we will do best by submitting our thoughts, our feelings and our will totally to the absolute sufficiency of our Savior, Jesus Christ.