Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 2:16-23.

 

^“16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—

 

¹⁷ things which are a mere shadow of what is to come;  but the substance belongs to Christ.

 

¹⁸ Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,

 

¹⁹ and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

                                        

²⁰ If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,

²¹ “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”

²² (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?

²³ These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”  Colossians 2:16-23.

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We come now to the “Therefore” of how we should act.  Remember the prior Scripture:  “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, … When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”  Colossians 2:10-14.  Christ gives us freedom.  

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free;  therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  … For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:1 and 5.   

^“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted;  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;”  Isaiah 61:1

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.  For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.”  Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.  So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.  For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy;  mercy triumphs over judgment.”  James 2:10-13.

“Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.  But their minds were hardened;  for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.  But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;  but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:12-18.

In the prior Scripture, Moses represents the Law, most notably the Ten Commandments.  There are those who cling to the Law.  It is like a veil is over their hearts.  But, through God’s grace and His Spirit, “whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” and “there is liberty”.  And, our Lord gives us more than just freedom;  our Lord transforms us into His image.  “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror theglory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 

In conclusion, on the one hand, we have the Law and slavery to all kinds of “self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence”.  On the other hand, we have faith in Christ and freedom and a transformation and growth that “comes from God”.  “Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain— if indeed it was in vain?  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:3-5.  “It was for freedom that Christ set us free;  therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”  Galatians 5:1.

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 2:8-15.

 

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

 

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;  and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

 

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”  Colossians 2:8-15.

 

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Christ “canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

 

And, what would that “certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us” be?

 

The Law is that “certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us”.  “What shall we say then?  Is the Law sin?  May it never be!  On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law;  for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.”  But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind;  for apart from the Law sin is dead.  I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;  and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;  for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Romans 7:7-11.

                                    

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:4-6.

And yet, how often do preachers and teachers try to pry off the nail and waive the Law in front of their congregation as the way to become righteous or more perfect!  “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”  Verse 8. 

“You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?  This is the only thing I want to find out from you:  did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain— if indeed it was in vain?  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:1-5.

This Christ, who nailed the Law to the cross, is fully able to bring us righteousness and perfect us.  “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete …”.  Verses 9 and 10.  “… He is the head over all rule and authority;  and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”  Verses 10 to 12.

“For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.  But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”  Galatians 3:21-22.

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did:  sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:3-4. 

If we still cling to the Law, despite all of this Scripture which instructs us on the inability of the Law (on the one hand) and what Christ has done for us and His power and authority to do so (on the other hand), then let us be warned.  “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:4-5. 

If we still have such a low view of what Christ’s blood accomplished, let us be warned.  “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?”  Hebrews 10:29

But, we are not among those who still cling to the Law and who still have such a low view of what Christ’s blood accomplished.  “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:19-21.

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 2:6-7.

                                   

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. 

 

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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“.

 

 

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.

 

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 

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 1:24-29.

 

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.  Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.  For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.  Colossians 1:24-29.

 

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Christians experience pressure to conform their faith and practice to the lowest common denominator of all religions:  some vague spirituality.  Public prayers at assemblies are tolerated so long as the name of Christ is not mentioned. 

 

But, today’s Scripture reminds us that Christians proclaim Christ.  Proclaim is defined in part as “to declare publicly, typically insistently, proudly, or defiantly and in either speech or writing”.  Click here: Proclaim – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

 

“We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.  For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”  Verses 28 and 29.

 

Like Paul, when we proclaim Christ, we may experience some suffering in retribution.  Like Paul, we may need to “strive” to proclaim Christ.  Strive is defined in part as “to devote serious effort or energy” and “to struggle in opposition”.  Click here: Strive – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary     

 

 

First, we have abundant reason to proclaim Christ.  Just earlier in this same chapter, we read the following about the incomparable Christ.

 

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  He is also head of the body, the church;  and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.  For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;  through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1:13-20.

 

Second, we proclaim Christ according to Christ’s power, “which mightily works” within us.  Verse 29. 

 

 

Third, and in conclusion, the following Scriptures remind us that Christ has done great things for us, that Christ’s name is proclaimed through God’s sovereign power, that we also proclaim Christ even in the simple act of communion, and that we were chosen to proclaim Christ.   

 

“Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.”  Luke 8:39

 

“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “ FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”  Romans 9:17

 

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”  1 Corinthians 11:26

 

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”  1 Peter 2:9

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 1:21-23.

 

“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”  Colossians 1:21-23.

 

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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

 

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27. 

 

“… He (Christ) has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach …”  Verse 22.

 

 

“Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain— if indeed it was in vain?  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:3-5.

 

“… For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.  But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”  Galatians 3:21-22.

 

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:3-4.

 

“For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:19-21.

 

In conclusion, the hope of the gospel is that the benefits of “the most precious death of his Son (Christ) extend to us, that Christ will purge us from all sin and bring us before God “free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever”.

                                          

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing; and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.  Article 8 of SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby of the Canons of Dordt. 

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 1:15-20.

 

“¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

 

¹⁶ For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

 

¹⁷ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

 

¹⁸ He is also head of the body, the church;  and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

 

¹⁹ For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

 

²⁰ and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;  through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1:15-20.

 

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Today’s Scripture powerfully and beautifully speaks for itself.  How can one add to it?

 

 

Article 10:  That Jesus Christ is true and eternal God.

We believe that Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is the only begotten Son of God, begotten from eternity, not made nor created (for then he should be a creature), but co-essential and co-eternal with the Father, the express image of his person, and the brightness of his glory, equal unto him in all things.  He is the Son of God, not only from the time that he assumed our nature, but from all eternity, as these testimonies, when compared together, teach us.  Moses saith, that God created the world;  and John saith, that all things were made by that Word, which he calleth God.  And the apostle saith, that God make the worlds by his Son;  likewise, that God created all things by Jesus Christ.  Therefore it must needs follow, that he, who is called God, the Word, the Son, and Jesus Christ, did exist at that time, when all things were created by him.  Therefore the prophet Micah saith, His goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.  And the apostle:  He hath neither beginning of days, nor end of life.  He therefore is that true, eternal, and almighty God, whom we invoke, worship and serve.

Why was it necessary for Christ to be divine?

The Heidelberg Catechism states:

Question 17.  Why must he in one person be also very God?

Answer.  That he might, by the power of his Godhead sustain in his human nature, the burden of God’s wrath; and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.

The Westminister Larger Catechism likewise states:

Question 38:  Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God?

Answer: It was requisite that the Mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death;  give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession;  and to satisfy God’s justice, procure his favor, purchase a peculiar people, give his Spirit to them, conquer all their enemies, and bring them to everlasting salvation.

“Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm 2:10-12.

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,
“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”                                                                                                                                                And the four living creatures kept saying, “ Amen.”  And the elders fell down and worshiped.”  Revelation 5:11-13.

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 1:13-14.

 

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  Colossians 1:13-14.

 

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The simplicity of the unilateral sovereign rescue by God is displayed in today’s Scripture.  This is no joint venture between God and man.  This is simply a rescue by God.  

 

It is consistent with what we see throughout Scripture.  The Gospel a/k/a Good News is not man and God working together to achieve a joint goal.  Rather, the Gospel a/k/a Good News is all about God:  Jesus saves!  “She will bear a Son;  and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21  

 

Here is how it is described in Ephesians 2:1-9.  “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.  But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  What can such dead men contribute to a rescue?! 

 

Here is how it is described in Colossians 1:21-22.  “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—”  In the domain of darkness, we were hostile to God, engaged in evil deeds.  What can such hostile men contribute to a rescue?! 

 

Here is how it is described in Romans 8:1-2.  “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”  We were in bondage in slavery to sin and Satan.  What can such bound enslaved men contribute to a rescue?! 

 

“And He (God) saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;  Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.”  Isaiah 59:16

                           

“68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of David His servant—
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—
71 Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all who hate us;
72 To show mercy toward our fathers,
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”  Luke 1:68-75.

Today’s devotion is Colossians 1:9-12.

 

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;  strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;  joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”  Colossians 1:9-12.

 

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As you can see in the next paragraph, Paul gave a similar greeting and prayer to the Ephesians as he did in today’s Scripture to the Colossians.  These greetings and prayers are also meant for us today.

 

“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”  Ephesians 1:15-19. 

 

And, the reason for these common greetings and prayers was disclosed in the preceding Scripture to today’s Scripture:  “… the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing”.  Colossians 1:5-6.  The gospel produced the fruit of faith and love in the Ephesians and in the Colossians, and the gospel also produces the fruit of faith and love in us today.

 

God has also “qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light’.  Verse 12.  “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”  Romans 8:16-17.  

 

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”  1 Peter 2:9

 

“… To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”  2 Peter 1:1-2. 

 

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 1:1-8.

 

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

 

² To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

 

³  We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴  since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;  ⁵ because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel ⁶ which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;  ⁷ just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.”  Colossians 1:1-8.