Reading: Colossians
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily(Col. 2:6-9).
The moment we recognize Jesus Christ as Lord, a miraculous transformation begins. As we are flooded with His love and grace, we find ourselves enveloped in a peace greater than any we have ever known. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7). In the days that follow, however, the initial euphoria often fades, leaving us with one final life-altering choice. We can either keep our focus on the world and try to figure out a way to add Christ to it, or we can shift our focus to Him and allow Him to shape our interactions with the world as we walk (ye) in Him.
The first option seems attractive to many but is, in truth, a trap set for new believers by Satan himself. Satan wants us to believe that we are free to run our own lives as we see fit and still claim salvation from God. He whispers in our ear that our intellectual acceptance satisfies God and that nothing further is required of us. This philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, is then embraced and further spread by modern-day false prophets (Matt. 7:15-17; II Pet. 2:1-3). For those who accept these teachings as truth, the future is grim indeed. They have convinced themselves that they have received salvation from God, but they have never truly met Him. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matt. 7:23).
Intellectually recognizing Jesus as our Lord and Savior is a necessary first step, but if we are to become His children now and for all eternity, we must give ourselves over to Him and allow Him to make us anew. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Cor. 2:17). When we accept Jesus, we relinquish our individual lives in exchange for eternal life in Him. From that point on, He becomes our life source. We become rooted in His Word, fed by His love, and led by His Spirit. Anything less is unacceptable to Him. Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it (Matt. 16:24-25).
This total transformation in Christ was something that Paul was intimately familiar with, and it was an experience that he was eager to share with the young congregation at Colossae. His letter was intended to provide them with support and encouragement to let go of the teachings of the world and bind themselves wholly to the teachings of Christ.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free(John 8:31-32).
Thought for Today: An individual’s relationship with God is deeply personal, but if it is strong and healthy, it will never be private.
Cross References: For Col. 2:11: See Deut. 10:16. Col. 3:23: See Eccl. 9:10. Col. 4:6: See Eccl. 10:12.Word Studies:1:12 meet = sufficient; 1:13 translated = transferred; 1:23 settled = firmly grounded; 2:4 beguile = deceive; 2:23 will worship = selfinspired efforts at worship; 3:5 Mortify = Treat as dead; concupiscence = uncontrolled desire for what is forbidden, especially sexual immorality.
Pray for StaffJudy McCrary • Government Officials: Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO), Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR) • Country: Kosovo (1,859,203) Southeast Europe • Religious Freedom • 95.6% Muslim; 2.2% Roman Catholic; 1.4% Serbian Orthodox Church; 0.8% Other/None/No Response • Prayer Suggestion: Wait upon the Lord and He will renew your strength (Is. 40:31).