KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Thursday, December 15, 2016
Chapters: The Book of Colossians & Philemon
Message: Complete In Christ
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Colossians was written by Paul approximately 64 AD, when he was a prisoner in Rome. The epistle (letter) was written to the church of Colosse, who were instructed to share it with other churches. The purpose of the letter was to address false doctrinal issues within the church. What we are to learn from the book is that Christ, who is God in the flesh, created all things and is everything. “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.” – Colossians 1:16.
Before we know Christ as our Saviour we try to live our lives the best we can, but deep down there is a void we cannot seem to fill, which is why many of us wind up in unsatisfying and sometimes dangerous relationships. Once we receive Him we see that He fills that void, He completes us. The more we walk with Him the more we learn that He is not close to what the world perceives Him as, and this was something I got caught up in when I first got saved, and until we truly understand pain we fully never understand His pain. When Paul got word of the Colossians and their faith in Christ he was ecstatic, but some false doctrine was being used there that he was concerned of, he reminds them that it is Christ’s blood that redeems them.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 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 1:14-22.
“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;” You know, there are many churches out there that proclaim Christ, but are not allowed to speak of sin and the blood Jesus shed to save us from our sin. Why did Jesus die if what we think is good can save us from hell? Oh, and even hell is forbidden to speak of. The human mind cannot possibly understand why God chose blood to be what redeems a person from sin, But He did, and He made salvation permanent with His Son, and until we know Him as our Saviour we are incomplete. As Paul continues, he warns them not to get caught up in the philosophies and traditions of man.
“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. 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 2:8-15.
“And ye are complete in him,” What an understatement that is! When Jesus died on the cross, He took every sin we ever committed, past, present, and future along with Him, nailing it to that tree, and shed them along with His blood. The second we believe this and receive Christ every one of our sins is gone, they have been wiped away and we are now complete, forgiven, made whole, redeemed, and able to stand before God perfect. 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.
“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. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” – Colossians 3:5-10.
“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. Walking with Christ is sobering, and many people have a hard time dealing with that and end up walking away. Paul also wrote a small personal letter to a convert named Philemon, who lived in Colosse. What we are to learn from it is that Christian principles must be applied to all relationships. “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” – Philemon 1:6.
While Paul wrote these letters in prison and identifies himself as a prisoner of Christ, he never wondered where God was through all the pain and suffering he had endure since he chose Christ. Paul speaks of Onesimus, a slave of Philemon who had robbed his master and fled to Rome, where he met Paul and became a convert. Paul sent him back to Philemon with this letter, a testimony on his faith and how he greatly improved since walking with Christ.
“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 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 1:4-11.
“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. No child of God never leaves or forsakes us, even if we have strayed away from God, yes, even the strongest Christian can fall when their eyes are not fixed on Jesus. He 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. Believe it or not, any suffering saved people go through by walking away from God, is their chastening already, and when God sees that they have suffered enough. God loves us too much to let us live as if He is not present in our lives, we are complete in Him, let us embrace that and enjoy our walk with Him. “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: “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:3-4.
Today’s Prayer: God, In the midst of all my struggles, failures, and doubts I remain confident that You will complete the work that 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 discredit You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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