Winter Retreat Devotional | day 3
Read Colossians 2
Re-read Colossians 2:8-15
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Study Questions:
Observe: What does this passage tell us about what Christ has done for us?
Understand: What false teaching is Paul combatting in this chapter?
Interpret: How would you summarize Paul’s main point in a sentence?
Apply: Who in life do you hope to share the Gospel with? Pray for them and for an opportunity.
In Colossians 1:24 - 2:5, we see Christ described three times as the mystery that has now been revealed to us. Jesus is the prophesied Messiah, head of his body, the Church! The Spirit of Jesus now dwells in Jews and Gentiles, as the prophets foretold. Christ himself is the revelation of God’s mystery! He answers the question raised throughout the old testament, “How will a holy, just God save sinners?” Christ is the treasury of all wisdom and knowledge and he has made himself known to us! We must be careful not to be led astray by mystical interpretations, human traditions, and spiritual experiences that neglect what has already been clearly revealed in Christ. True joy and fellowship with God are not found in hidden knowledge or momentary spiritual highs, but in Christ who dwells in us. Follow him by faith!
Do you see the great victory and confidence we have in Christ! For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and we have been made complete in him! Though we were dead in sin, we have been raised with Christ through faith. He has forgiven all our tresspasses, by cancelling our immense debt, nailing it to the cross. In Christ, we have victory over sin and death. He disarmed rulers and spiritual authorities, triumphing over them! Our accuser, Satan, has been put to shame and has no power over us who are in Christ. There are no extra traditions that must be fulfilled nor special experiences that must be sought. Christ has saved us! He who began a good work in us will himself bring it to completion. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Col. 2:6-7).
Respond & Worship in song:
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery - Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
In Christ Alone - The Gray Havens
It Is Finished - The Modern Post