Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 2:1-5.
“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:1-5.
——————–
We may suffer. We may strive. We may struggle for our children, for other family members, for our students, for fellow members of our church, and for our other friends. We want to see their good discipline and the stability of their faith in Christ, and we rejoice when we do see it.
But, we do not work aimlessly. We focus on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith …” Hebrews 12:2.
We preach, teach, and live lives of faith with “full assurance of understanding” and “knowledge” of “Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge“.
“Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:26.
But, there are those who do walk and work aimlessly. They wander.
“4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region;
They did not find a way to an inhabited city.
5 They were hungry and thirsty;
Their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
He delivered them out of their distresses.
7 He led them also by a straight way,
To go to an inhabited city.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!
9 For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,
And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.” Psalm 107:4-9.
They did not find a way to an inhabited city.
5 They were hungry and thirsty;
Their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
He delivered them out of their distresses.
7 He led them also by a straight way,
To go to an inhabited city.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!
9 For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,
And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.” Psalm 107:4-9.
I was among those who walked and worked aimlessly. I was among those who wandered. You can read about my story in the “About Me” tag of my web site – Click here: About me « Reformed Doctrine Blog
“In 1977, I moved to Florida to go to law school, and I stayed here in Florida. I attended and was a member, even a lay leader, in a large range of churches from Assembly of God to Baptist to Calvary Chapel to United Methodist to nondenominational churches and small fellowships. At first, I thought Reformed Doctrine would be preached in all Christian Protestant churches. When I heard some strange preaching or teaching, I first thought that the problem was just with that particular minister or teacher. Eventually, a childhood friend, who now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, asked me if I remembered “TULIP” which is also known as the Five Points of Calvinism and the Reformed Doctrine of salvation. I studied the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism. That study made me aware that often what bothered me was not just bad preaching or teaching, but rather the problem was caused by bad doctrine (Arminianism) that broadly and deeply affected that church and its denomination which at some time of its history strayed away from Reformed Doctrine rediscovered in the Reformation. In contrast to this bad doctrine which I encountered, I began to appreciate more the truth, logic, beauty, and simplicity of “TULIP” which was my heritage. I recognized its importance, because most Protestant denominations do not teach it. I am now passionate about promoting ”TULIP” a/k/a Reformed Doctrine.”
In conclusion, to put it most simply, we can focus on ourselves and what we should do. If we do so, we will wander. Or, we can focus on Christ and what He has done. If we do so, we will follow Him. When our eyes are fixed on “Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge“, we are like a ship focused on a lighthouse. We will stay on course. We will be disciplined. We will be stable. We will arrive safely to our harbor.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 