This year I am reading through a Bible my wife gave me at the end of last year, The Complete Jewish Study Bible. It has been an amazing journey so far. This morning I was reading Colossians 3:15 and it says, “and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart’s decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be a part of a single Body.” The American Standard Version tells us, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” The key words here are peace, rule and heart.

1. Peace: This is the Greek Word eirḗnē; meaning, “opposite of war and dissension (Luke 14:32; Acts 12:20; Rev. 6:4). By implication, a state of tranquility (Luke 2:29; 11:21; John 16:33; Acts 9:31; 1 Cor. 14:33; 1 Thess. 5:3; Sept.: Judg. 6:23; Is. 14:30; Ezek. 38:8, 11). In the OT the equivalent word shalom(7965) meant wholeness, soundness, hence health, well–being, prosperity. The absence of confusion (Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 7:15; 14:33; Eph. 4:3; Heb. 12:14; Ps. 34:14; 35:20; Zech. 8:16). He rewards those who practice this peace (James 3:18 [cf. Matt. 5:9]), but those who disregard it are punished (Rom. 3:17 [cf. Is. 59:8, 9]). Peace is a blessing of which God alone is the author (Job 25:2; Ps. 147:14; Is. 45:7). It is a gift which God desires to impart to all His people (Jer. 29:11),”^[1] There is much more than can be said about peace, but I think you get the point. It is this peace that MUST rule in our hearts.
2. Rule: This is the Greek word brabeúō; meaning “to govern, and metaphorically to prevail and to abound.”^[2]
3. Heart: This is the Greek word kardía. “The seat and center of human life.”^[3]

As believers we are called to do many things; but at the center of our call is to live a life of peace. When making decisions, there will always be conflict; Prophet Isaiah tells us,

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

The word thought means “a purpose, a method and goal.”^[4] The word ways mean “a path or journey.”^[5] Based on these definitions, there are four fundamental obstacles in our decision-making process: 1) our mindset or the way we think, 2) our own definition of the purpose for our lives or, selfish agendas, 3) our way of doing things or Culture and, 4) our personal goals. We are not talking about not having goals; but about seeking God for them. You may be working on some goals that may sound like good goals, but in reality, they are moving you further away from God’s will for your life.

Beloved, Paul tells us in this same verse of Colossians 3:15 that, as it relates to peace, “…this is why you were called to be a part of a single Body.” Peace is connected to God’s will, that is why “there can be no peace to the wicked (Sept.: Is. 57:19 [cf. Is. 57:20, 21; 48:22]). Those who hope for it, while continuing in their iniquity, are self–deceived (Sept.: Jer. 6:14; 8:15 [cf. Jer. 8:11; Ezek. 13:10, 16]).^[6] Colossians 3:1-2 gives us the heart of the matter,

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (ESV)

There is nothing more important for us than God. He desires to bless us with peace. His peace is connected with his will for our lives. When we seek our own will or, when our minds are focus on the things of this world, we are insisting on having it both ways; ours and God’s. That’s not going to work. 

Notice that when speaking about peace I did not speak about feeling; feelings are deceiving. We must surrender and trust God 100 percent. We must talk, listen and obey HIM. The struggle to make decisions is a reflection of our struggle to trust God. Through his Word he has made his thoughts and ways known. He has made our divine priorities very clear. Godly decisions will always enrich 1) your relationship with God through prayer and the study of His Word, 2) your relationship with your family, 3) your relationship with your Church family and 4) your opportunities to use the gifts God has given you to minister to others. Whatever decision you make that gets on the way of these four fundamental priorities is not of God. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,” Colossians 2:6 (ESV)

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^[1] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[2] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[3] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[4] Warren Baker and Eugene E. Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 599.

^[5] Warren Baker and Eugene E. Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 248.

^[6] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).