Winter Retreat Devotional | day 2
Read Colossians 1
Re-read Colossians 1:21-23
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Study Questions:
Observe: What does this passage tell us about what Christ has done?
Understand: From the passage, who is responsible for our spiritual growth?
Interpret: How would you summarize Paul’s main point in a sentence?
Apply: Who could you share your testimony with this week?
Does your view of yourself align with how Paul describes us here? Before Christ reconciled us to God, we were alienated and cut off from the family of God for our sin. We were hostile towards God, doing evil deeds. We called ourselves good, but we were ignorant of our need for forgiveness, justifying ourselves before God and people. We rightly deserved God’s wrath. But God, full of mercy and love, sent us his Son! Through Jesus’ death on the cross, we who were once rebels have been reconciled to God. Christ took on our sin and suffered the wrath of God in our place. He gives us his Spirit to purify us and transform us into his image. Give praise to our gracious God who loved us first! We did not love God, but he loved us and sent Christ to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins!
God works our salvation, yet we also have responsibility to pursue holiness and maturity in Christ. But how do we do this? Through works of the law? Through severe self-discipline? No, through faith and hope in Christ! This is why Paul focuses consistently on proclaiming Christ and him crucified! As we behold the glory and beauty of Christ and meditate on the gracious salvation he has purchased, the Spirit transforms us more and more into his image. Thus, we must remain steadfast and firm in our faith in him. Let no sin or guilt come between you and God. Christ has reconciled us and the work is finished! If you feel far from God, turn to him quickly and find grace. Seek him in prayer, confess your sin to God and other Christians, and reflect on what Christ has done to redeem you. Jesus truly loves you and his grace is sufficient for all our sin. Daily set your mind on him, cherish his words, and meditate on scripture so that your vision of God may expand. All glory to him who saves sinners!
Respond & Worship in Song:
Before the throne of God above - The Worship Initiative
Nothing but the blood - Shai Linne, Erin McCallister or Wilder Atkins
Jesus, lover of my soul - Providence
And Can It Be That I Should Gain? - Sovereign Grace Music
Grace Alone - Kings Kaleidoscope
Other Songs for Reflection
I’m the Problem - Timothy Brindle