Colossians
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for setting me free from the evil powers of this world through Jesus death on the cross, which is my death to sin in Him! I praise You that when there was no way for me to have life eternal, You sent Jesus to make the way. I pray that You will fill me with the Holy Spirit afresh that I may live boldly and confidently in the reality of my resurrected life in Jesus. Let me truly be dead to sin today, and alive to all that is good. I pray that as I think, speak and act the thoughts, words and actions of Jesus will be lived out in me. I pray that whatever I do in word or action, that I will do everything in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that I will give thanks to You, my Heavenly Father through Him. May the testimony of my life bring You honor today and always. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Colossians 2:16-23
16So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ himself. 18Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial. And don't let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they say they have had visions about this. These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them proud. 19But they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For we are joined together in his body by his strong sinews, and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God. 20You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the evil powers of this world. So why do you keep on following rules of the world, such as, 21"Don't handle, don't eat, don't touch." 22Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them. 23These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person's evil thoughts and desires.
Reflecting on God’s Word
What is the most obvious difference in your life since Jesus has set you free from sin and death?
What one gift would you give Jesus in return for the great gift of new life He has given you?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
What is the result of our “dying with Christ” according to the Apostle Paul? (2:20)
What did the Colossian Christians continue to do, even though they had gained freedom through Jesus? (2:21)
What does Paul say is the source of such rules? (2:22)
Understanding God’s Word
According to today’s Scripture, what is the effective result of our having “died with Christ”?
What does Paul tell us is the difference between our life in Christ and the mere human rules that people teach?
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
What one thing do you need to do as a result of reading today’s Scripture?
Thoughts...You Have Died with Christ...
One of the most misunderstood truths of the Gospel is that we HAVE died with Christ, and thus are set free from sin and death—RIGHT NOW! Many folks see that our “dying” with Jesus is a matter of making certain that when we die we get to go to heaven, but don’t realize that the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we also die with Him, and are set free from the bondage to sin and the impact of death—which apart from Jesus is eternal separation from God! So many of us live as defeated Christians, because we think that even after we receive the salvation Jesus offers, we must continue to work at becoming like Jesus in our own power. We DO have to continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling as Paul told the Philippian Christians, but we must remember that God IS at work in us to will and work for His good pleasure. In other words, we do what we can do, and God will make up the difference! He will make it possible for us to live without sin—that is Jesus’ intention for each of us here and now. Let’s start living that way by His grace—right now!