Intro: It is easy for us as believers to shout on Sunday mornings “Jesus is Lord,” but it takes the power of God operating in us to actually follow our Lord’s leadership the rest of the week. Our obedience to follow him causes us to be separated from the world, so we can be rooted and established in his strength. In the midst of a culture that seems to be bedazzled by the deception of darkness, aren’t you glad you know the person who lived the Truth as God intended when he created humanity. Jesus is the only way for you to know who you were created to be for eternity.
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul reiterates the essential need for us to connect to Christ and to other believers. In fact, Paul’s letters to the church at Colosse are all about making righteous connections. Deception, division, and false deities will always permeate this world seeking to rob people of Christ’s rightful place as Lord and Ruler of every heart. We must be connected to the Righteous and Anointed One, so we never follow the lies. Worldly teachings and opinions are empty; so, it is fruitless to try to blend sinful human ideas into Christianity and call it Truth. A Christian is a person whose heart and behaviors reflect Christ and his righteousness, as well as work to increase and further his Kingdom rule. Live the new life in Christ and find completeness in his love.
Colossians 2:6-10 (TPT) New Life in Christ
6 In the same way you received Jesus our Lord and Messiah by faith, continue your journey of faith, progressing further into your union with him! 7 Your spiritual roots go deeply into his life as you are continually infused with strength, encouraged in every way. For you are established in the faith you have absorbed and enriched by your devotion to him!
8 Beware that no one distracts you or intimidates you [takes you captive] in their attempt to lead you away from Christ’s fullness by pretending to be full of wisdom when they’re filled with endless arguments of human logic. For they operate with humanistic and clouded judgments based on the mindset of this world system, and not the anointed truths of the Anointed One.
9 For he is the complete fullness of deity living in human form. 10 And our own completeness is now found in him. We are completely filled with God as Christ’s fullness overflows within us. He is the Head [Source] of every kingdom and authority in the universe!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this new life you have called me to live. Each day I grow in my devotion to your authority and need for your strength. Some days I feel weary as I listen to the arguments of arrogant human flesh, but I realize it is important to understand how different your Kingdom is from this present world. Thank you for making a place for me in your Kingdom! In Jesus’ name. Amen.