KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, December 15, 2017
Chapters: Colossians & Philemon
Message: Complete In Christ
Hello My Friend,
When we see all the evil in the world today it is hard to comprehend that it is God who allows all these things, but the truth is He uses everything for His advantage. When you stop to think about who God is, that He is holy and that all sin is detestable to Him you can understand why He allows people to just die in their sin. We must understand that God does not create evil, the devil does that, but God allows it for two reasons, one is choice, two, is repentance. God gives us a choice in all things, from our belief in Him to what we do in life, He will never mess with freewill, but He will give all a chance to repent, to turn away from living a life without Him in it. “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” – II Corinthians 7:10.
Before we even know who Christ is, most of us we try to live our lives the best we can, we know that there are some things just wrong, and therefore we aim to avoid these things, but deep down there is a void in our lives that we cannot seem to fill, which is why many of us get into sometimes dangerous relationships. However, once we learn of Him and understand that it was He that we needed all along we truly discover that He fills that void, and that we are complete in Him. Now, after we are saved that is where we need direction on how God wants us to live, and that is where the Bible comes in. When Paul got word of the Colossians and their faith in Christ he was ecstatic, but some false doctrine was being used, therefore he thought it necessary to let them know that, not only was Christ God Himself, but that believers are reconciled with God through His blood.
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” – Colossians 1:16-22.
“that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Preeminence; Superior; high in station, and rank. Jesus is King, it is that simple. And since He is KING that means He will deal with everyone of us the way He pleases, if He chooses to use a wicked, and uncontrollable person to judge His people or bring others to repentance than He will do it. I was listening to the sermon at church this past Wednesday as the speaker was criticizing President Trump for his unpolitical correctness and the first thing that came to mind was how God was using him to judge our nation. God knows what is going on in the U.S., in every country for that matter, and He will use every bit of evil and wicked behavior, in and out of the government, to not only judge His people, and the world, but to bring repentance as well. Remember, judgment always begins with the house of God first, Paul reminds all of us what Christ did for us, and that we need to get right with Him.
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” – Colossians 2:9-15.
“and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Let me tell you, when life happens it tends to put God on the backburner, and we lose sight of what Christ did for us. Do you realize the state you were in before you knew Christ as your Saviour? I sure do mine, and I never want to go back where I was. Jesus fills in the holes and cracks that sin made in us, He took all that stuff to the cross with Him, never to be remembered by God again. Of course, we are going to suffer in the body for the consequences of our actions until we confess and repent of them, but it is only temporary, judgment does not last unless we are not willing to repent. “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” – Revelation 3:2-3.
Being saved and understanding the pain Jesus went through ought to motivate us to walk with Him, be more like Him, and live in a way the reveals Him through us, and let me tell you, living like the world brings a lot more pain. Paul stresses the importance of repenting of the things of the world and turning to the things of Christ.
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” – Colossians 3:5-8,12-15.
“In the which ye also walked some time,” Until I choose to walk with Christ and learned the truth about Him I never understood that the life I was living was full of sin. We do not change overnight, it takes a lifetime to conform to the image of Christ, and even then it is not long enough, but we are more than complete, we are witnesses for Christ. Paul also wrote a small personal letter to a convert named Philemon, who lived in Colosse. Philemon was sent to seek a runaway slave named Onesimus, who actually penned down this letter for Paul.
“Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:” – Philemon 1:5-11.
“Which in time past was to thee unprofitable,” You know, we can get caught up in some messes trying to live this life we are handed, but Christ changes all that and turns us into something more valuable than anything on the earth. God will let us suffer in our sin until we come to Him, but He never stops loving us, and He will heal the suffering if we come to Him willingly. “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” – I Peter 4:17-19.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” – Colossians 1:13-14.
Today’s Prayer: God, In the midst of all my struggles, failures, and doubts I remain confident that You will complete the work You began in me. You accepted me as I was, and You lovingly began reshaping my life into an image of Your Son. Not only are You continuing the good work You began, but You are perfecting those things that weaken my faith and my testimony. I thank You that You will fulfill Your purpose in me, no matter what I believe, but as long as I study Your Word, and live by it, I can be ready to answer those who are trying to discourage me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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