What is an umpire?

Col. 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,”

One of the vocations of peace in us is to be an ‘umpire’. It will always make the first and last call in our hearts and minds. In the Greek, the word rule is present tense. To me, this can mean several things. One is, it is always there. Eph. 2:14 states Christ is our peace. He does not only give peace, but He IS peace. In Him, there is an ever-present peace from the guilt and punishment of the law so that we serve in a new way of the spirit, Rom. 7:6 (NIV).

The word rule is also in active voice. So, this peace is habitually working in the believer non-stop. By grace, peace is naturally bearing itself through His faith in us. This suggests we don’t make ourself peaceful by balancing on one leg, but peace itself or rather Himself enables us to bear peace.

Rule is also in imperative mood. I believe Paul is saying this is the only way to have true, sincere peace. Imperative mood also means a command that is given. If this is taken legally and not under grace, then the motive is put on the ‘recipient of peace’ and they could feel compelled to act out or conjure up peace which is a dead work. In actuality, if I try to conjure something, I am trying to affect or influence something by invocation or spell. 1 Sam. 15:23 says, “Rebellion is as witchcraft and stubbornness as the iniquity of idolatry.” In my ignorance or bad doctrine, if I am rebelling against grace because a doctrine or teaching says I need to create peace on my own aside from Christ’s enabling power and ability then this could lead into either idolatry or witchcraft. I know I’m a heretic now. What else is new? The motive should be by grace not works. We are imperatively under grace and not law.

Lastly, peace is always in present tense as well because it is a fruit of the Spirit. It is a fruit of God. God resides in eternity which is always present tense or Now! So, peace is also Now. If we are truly citizens from heaven, Eph. 2:12, Phil. 3:20, then the fruit we bear in Him by nature is heavenly. Our nature in Him, is Now. He is Now. He is Now in me and you if He is in your heart. In Christ, there is no fear in Now. Christ exists Now. One billion years ago He is Now. Don’t know how else to say it? Galatians 5:23 says there is no law against the fruit of the Spirit. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. So, if I am ever-bearing fruit Now then there is no law against such things. Perfect love casteth our fear and torment, 1 John 4:18. Fear cannot co-exist with peace.