Verse: Colossians 3:1-4
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Devotion:
The whole theme of Colossians is Paul highlighting Christs’ lordship over us. He is the head of all things. Paul wrote this letter to the churches in Colossae because false teachings were spreading through the church. Paul wrote this letter to address the two most common false teachings- works for salvation and mysticism. He emphasizes that Jesus is not a mystical, higher being separate from God. He is the head of His people. He reigns over us and is head with authority over all of creation. Since we know this to be Truth, we know that we can depend on Christ and Christ alone for salvation. There is no room for works in the Gospel, but Jesus has already completed the ultimate sacrificial work in our place.
Paul uses this introduction to Colossians 3 to make it as clear as possible. If we know Christ, we know He is Lord with authority over us. We know that He reigns, seated at the right hand of God. Because of this, we know that we do not need to be anxious about the things of this earth. Rather, because we know our King, we can have a kingdom perspective. We can set our eyes on the heavens and know that our Lord is in control. We have died with His crucification and are becoming new, more and more like Him each day.
Friends, I don’t know about you, but it’s comforting for me to know that Paul wrote this letter between 60-62 AD, yet we’re still dealing with the same issues today. That means we have direct guidance, today. How many of us have looked around and seen our Savior being turned into a cosmic, mystical, far removed creature? How many of us have looked around and seen our culture becoming toxic and emphasizing works over faith? How many have felt ourselves falling into this same belief? I know I have. Jesus knew this was coming. Our earthly short comings are not a surprise to Him: He gave Paul the words to encourage our hearts. We are not alone in this. Paul reminds us to trust in our King, to let Him make us new, to set our eyes on Him and to allow Him to do His good work in us.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for seeing me. Thank you for knowing the worldly struggles that will face your children. You’ve seen it over the last thousands of years and see it into the next thousands. Thank you for giving us the Truth we need to face the struggles of this world. Lord, help my eyes to focus on you. Give me the moments to be still and know that You are Lord over all. Open my heart to be shaped by You. Thank you Jesus for being close to me. Thank you for completing the ultimate work of sacrifice so that I might be saved by faith in You and You alone. Jesus, when this world gets overwhelming, remind my heart and mind to show down and be reminded by this sweet truth. Thank you Lord. Amen
Author: Becca Artymenko
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