Colossians
Thursday, July 1, 2004
My Prayer Today
Dear Jesus, I thank you for the unconditional love that you have shown me. You have been so merciful to me. I ask that you would help me to show the same kind of unconditional love and mercy towards others. Help me to truly forgive the person/people and be knit together with strong ties of love toward them. I ask for the grace and strength to do this because I cannot do this on my own. I ask this in Your name, Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Colossians 2:1-3
I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other friends who have never known me personally. My goal is that they will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have full confidence because they have complete understanding of God's secret plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Reflecting on God’s Word
What does Paul want the churches at Colosse and Laodicea to know?
Did Paul ever know these people personally?
What is Paul's goal for these churches?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
How can Paul "agonize" over a church that he has never been to?
List the things Paul desires for the churches to have?
According to Paul, what the basis for the people's confidence?
Understanding God’s Word
In whom does all the "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" reside?
Why does Paul use the word "hidden" to explain where these treasures are?
What does it mean that "Christ himself" is the secret plan? Explain.
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
When Paul exhorts the church to be "knit together by strong ties of love" -- is there a member at church in whom you do not love? If so, why?
What is one thing that you can do for someone at church that would show them Christ's love? (If you mentioned a person above, use them).
How does Christ's example help when we are called to love people we do not necessarily like?
Thoughts...
Growing up as a pastor's kid (P.K.), I had the opportunity to see many things within a church. One thing I learned at an early age was that, even at church, people have their disagreements. Tragically, some of these disagreements cause people to act immature when they are around each other, which can sometimes allow bitterness to take root. It is no wonder that Paul says to the churches at Colosse and Laodicea that, "My goal is that they will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. . ." Even in the early church there were disagreements, however, Paul exhorted them to remain in the love of Jesus Christ.
If we cannot love people who are our "brothers and sisters" in Christ, then who can we love? We may certainly have our different opinions and our occasional disagreements, but we should never allow these to get such a foothold in our lives that we fail to love them as Christ would have us! The love of Jesus should permeate from our being that it flows into those around us, even if they do not deserve our love. (We don't deserve Christ's love!). Many times those who "deserve" love the least, are often the ones who often need love the most. Take time today to pray for the person that you may disagree with, and ask God to give you a love and compassion for them. When we follow Jesus Christ, loving even our enemies is something that is required of us.