Being God’s New Creation

-

 


Scripture: Colossians 1:21-23 (The Message)

You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole, and holy in his presence. You don’t walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message,

Devotion:

            In this passage we have Paul speaking to the believers among the Colossians. He repeats the Gospel story of their salvation. It is, however, not just their story it is also ours. For we who believe were all in rebellion against God either openly or in the secret recesses of our hearts. We have all failed to love God with our whole hearts or be thankful for the many provisions God has made. Since he makes the rain to fall on both the just and unjust, we mistook his common grace as approval of our lifestyle of sin. Fortunately, we have heard his call and repented of our former acts which were done in ignorance of his great saving work on the cross.

             What Jesus did there on that cross was magnificent. Our lives were transferred from a life of sin and rebellion into a life of holiness and obedience by the power of God displayed in the death, and resurrection of Jesus. If we are truly changed by Him, we will feel a new Spirit living within us. One that seeks to please God at all times. All that is new within us is a gift of God’s grace totally unearned and undeserved.

            If we have truly received Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then there is no going back to our old ways. We know that we can trust God with our whole lives. We stay tuned to God’s word and listen to his voice in scripture. Knowing that we need not look elsewhere for God’s provision for we but can stay grounded in His great love for us. We are not chasing after the latest fads and fancies that the world may put before us because we know that what God provides us will really satisfy our needs.

            Therefore, let us be thankful that we have received such a great salvation. Let us declare in praise and prayer the wonderful things that God has done for us.

Prayer:

            O Lord, we magnify and exalt your name together today. You have taken us from a life of darkness and sin into your wonderful kingdom of light and love. We just give our total thanksgiving to you for the salvation of our souls which you accomplished on the cross and in your resurrection. We thank you for the Holy Spirit which lives in each of us that we may glorify you with our words and deeds. Teach us to be wise in dealing with a world that for the most part doesn’t know you and doesn’t care to know you. May this world come to know you through us. Amen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcoming the Unwelcome

-
  Scripture: Luke 7:36-38 (NIV) 36  When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37  A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38  As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them. Devotion:             First of all, some warnings to my readers. This post will exceed the 500 words I try to limit my posts. Second, this post will contain content people may find offensive or otherwise unfit for print. Please understand that my purpose is neither to offend nor upset but to provoke thought and, hopefully, respectful dialog.             We will use Luke chapter seven as an aid to interpreting the events that occurred last Thursday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. On that da
Read more

Father Forgive Them

-
  Scripture: Luke 23:33-34 (ESV) 33  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Devotion:             The situation Jesus finds himself in here in today’s scripture is difficult for us to even imagine. A sham trial, no credible accusations of any kind, let alone any deserving of death, and yet here he is. A brilliant Rabbi, a teacher of the people who never led even one person astray from God’s will. This Holy One of God soon to be food for vultures.             This man who had done nothing wrong had no one in all the crowds who would speak up in his defense lest they be next to face the cross. An innocent man hung between two scoundrels. No voice from heaven declaring that this was the man that they were killing was actually the true Son of God. (See Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, John 12:28) No the heaven
Read more

Transgenderism letter

-
  This is a copy of my letter to my senators, representative, and President Biden. January 15, 2024 Dear President Biden, Senators T. Duckworth, R. Durbin, and Representative D. LaHood             I am writing to you because I am concerned about the situation affecting our children and grandchildren, namely transitioning them from one gender to another. This nation must adjust course concerning these “interventions” because they are dangerous, irreversible, and life-changing. Our country should not be permitting these procedures on minor children under any circumstances. We must also make sure that adults who seek this care are given informed consent as to the risks versus benefits of sex reassignment treatments.             There are many drawbacks to gender-affirming care for minors. Besides the loss of any ability to give or receive sexual pleasure and sterility these treatments cause, there are social and psychological effects that we have no way of identifying because these
Read more