Paul went on to tell the Colossian Christians, “The peace of Christ must control your hearts.” He wrote that to people who lived in a world at least as cruel and unsettling as ours, perhaps more so. Not only that—that Greco-Roman world often turned its hatred, violence and scorn particularly on its Christian citizens. Paul’s counsel about peace, praise and gratitude was a survival manual for people who lived in a spiritual “combat zone.”

• Songwriter Allan Roberts wrote the often-recorded song “You Always Hurt the One You Love.” What aspects of your history and temperament make “the peace of Christ” particularly important for you in your closest relationships? The Message renders verse 16, “Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house.” How can you live that out?
• Verse 17 took in a lot of ground: “WHATEVER you do, whether in speech or action, do it ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus.” What does it mean to you to do whatever you do in Jesus’ name? How can you work, shop, drive the freeway, react to today’s news, cheer for the Royals or your kid’s soccer team or discuss the family budget and future holiday plans “in the name of the Lord Jesus”?