Colossians
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
My Prayer Today
Dear God, I thank you for those who have taught me about Jesus Christ. I want to express my gratitude to you for sending them into my life. It is only by your grace, power, and strength that I am where I am today. I ask that you would help me to tell others about Christ. Grant me the wisdom I need to be able to teach others about you. I want to do what you want me to do with all of my might. I ask for your help this day to do these things, In Jesus name, Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Colossians 1:28-29
So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power that works within me.
Reflecting on God’s Word
What does Paul do everywhere he goes?
How does he tell everyone about Christ?
In what manner does Paul "warn" and "teach" others about Christ?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
What is Paul's objective in telling others about Christ?
What does it mean to present others to God "perfect in their relationship to Christ?"
How much energy does Paul put into reaching his objective? Why?
Understanding God’s Word
Is it possible to tell everyone about Christ without depending on his mighty power at work within us? Why or why not?
How does Christ's mighty power work within us?
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
What would happen if we did not depend upon Christ's mighty power when we tell others about Christ?
If "warning" and "teaching" others depends upon the wisdom that we have in Christ, should we ask God for more wisdom?
What are two things that you can do today to increase your "wisdom" in Christ?
Thoughts...
The Good News that God offers salvation through Christ to the entire world creates a great need for mission for us today. Paul's says in Colossians 1:28 that "everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ." The truth of the Gospel should not be secret knowledge, but it should be preached with boldness to everyone we come in contact with. How do we do it? Paul says we should "warn" them and "teach" them with all the wisdom that God has given us. It takes wisdom to know how to reach our friends and family for Christ. We need to be sensitive in where our friends and family are at spiritually, so that we will know how to approach them. It takes wisdom and discernment in knowing how to witness to our friends.
Paul mentions as the end purpose in the next verse the end purpose, "we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ." It is not that we can save our friends, as only God can do that, but we can help teach and disciple them into mature Christians. As a child goes through school and eventually graduates when they reach a level of maturity, so Christians can also mature in their walk with the Lord. Paul says that our goal as Christian witnesses is to help others, by God's power and grace, reach maturity in Christ. We must work hard in reaching this goal, because it is one of the main reasons why we are here. Take time today to use what God has given you to be a blessing to someone else.