Peace and thanksgiving.
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful."
I. CHRISTIAN PEACE.
1. Its Author.
2. The sphere or element of its exercise. "To the which also ye were called in one body." As "God hath called us in peace" (1 Corinthians 7:15), we are to realize our unity by it as members of the body. Unity is out of the question without peace. Let us show the fruit of our calling by being lovers of peace. The kingdom of God is "righteousness and peace."
3. Its enthronement as umpire in the heart. "Let it be umpire in your hearts."
II. THANKSGIVING. "And be ye thankful." It is our duty to be always thankful to God. It held a constant place in the apostle's thoughts. The word, in its substantive and verbal forms, occurs thirty-seven times in his Epistles. We must be in a constant mood of thanksgiving for his mercies, for his grace, for his comforts, and for his ordinances.—T. C.