COLOSSIANS 3:15-16
DWELL IN THE WORD
Colossians 3:15-16 (BSB) Let the peace of Christ ruleG1018 in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwellG1774 within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
G1018 brabĕuō – to arbitrate, i.e. (gen.) to govern (fig. prevail): – rule.
G1774 ĕnŏikĕō – to inhabit (fig.): – dwell in
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
May your peace, Lord, reign in me.
Let your word inhabit my mind.
Allow me to teach with wisdom,
so that others in your word will find
the peace that they have craved, Lord.
Then with a full heart they may sing.
May gratitude flow from our hearts, Lord,
as an offering of worship we bring.
Paul admonishes us “…as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18 NIV). That can only be done as we allow Christ to reign on the throne of our hearts. His peace comes as we spend time with him daily through prayer, reading his word, and worshipping him. Then he will enable us to be at peace with one another.
God’s word should inhabit us. Listening to the Sunday school lesson and sermon each week is a good beginning; but to have the word of Christ inhabit us, we must read it and meditate on it daily. You may feel that you don’t have time to sit down and read God’s word each day. For about $70 dollars—the cost of 2 trips to Six Flags, 7 dinners out, or a pair of good running shoes—you can own the entire Bible on CD. You can enjoy listening to God’s word as you travel to and from work each day or as you run errands. Play the chapter you are currently studying over and over until you begin to internalize the concepts and even memorize some of the key verses.
The real turning point in my life, other than my actual acceptance of Jesus as Savior and Lord, was when I (Susie) was discipled by a godly couple who served as our Sunday school teachers for young singles. They taught me the importance of memorizing Scripture and hiding it deep within my heart. The verses I learned while I had the accountability of Keith or Kathy asking me to recite them, have been brought back to me by the Holy Spirit many times to meet a particular need in my life. One of the ways I keep my memorized Bible verses fresh is to recite them in my mind while I exercise. When I swim, I count the laps by verses containing that lap number (Genesis 1:1, Galatians 2:20, John 3:16, etc.). I challenge myself to use a different verse for each lap and to incorporate newly memorized verses as well.
When I taught at Glenview Christian School, the music teacher and I set almost all of the second-grade memory verses to music. I still run into students, now in college, who tell me they sing those songs with children in their churches and plan to teach them to their own children. Hymns and songs based strongly on Scripture, even if not word for word, are a powerful way to remember God’s promises and express thanksgiving to God. Sing them with a heart full of gratitude to the Lord who wrote his love letter to you.
Father, thank you for the people who taught and admonished us with wisdom to meditate on your word. Help us to remember the verses we have learned and to never tire of knowing more of you. Help us to pass on this gift of knowing you through your word to those you have entrusted to us.