peace rules

Colossians 3:15-17

Paul is concerned about the unity of the church, reminding them that they are one and that peace is to rule in their individual lives and that they are called to peace as a church. This passage also contains a list of different songs: psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Even though we are supposed to sing to God, we are also supposed to sing to each other. I think that sometimes our times of corporate worship are actually a bunch of individuals engaging in a private worship experience in a common location with common music. Paul reminds the church that there is a greater benefit - we are to sing to each other and our collective worship of God is supposed to benefit us - it is to encourage, teach and even admonish each other.
Thankfulness is another key theme - Paul commands that peace rule in our hearts and that we should be thankful. We are to sing to God (adomonishing one another) with thankfulness in our hearts. We are to do everythin in the name of Christ while giving thanks to God. Paul's concern for the church in Colossae could be spoken to much of the North American church today: I think that a lot of our problems lie in our discontent, greed, envy and ingratitude. If we were more grateful, peace would more likely rule. God is not pleased with our ingratitude because, at its heart, what it actually says is that we don't like what God has given to us - that God is not good because he has not given us good things. Lord, let me not accuse you of not being good!
Finally, I need to ask myself the question everyday: am I doing this in the strength of Christ or in my own strength? Am I doing this for the glory of God or for my own glory? Am I doing this to receive praise from others or out of my love for Jesus? Let my heart and motives be true, Jesus. May I be motivated to give my best for your glory and not my own.