Passage: https://www.biblegatesway.com/passage/?search=colossians+1.1-14

Scripture

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother

Observation

Paul says that he always thanks God for the Colossians because of the faith and love that they have for all the saints. These come from the word of truth, the gospel, which is not only growing in their hearts but is spreading all over the world.

Paul prays for them daily that the Lord will fill them with the knowledge of His will so that they will please Him in every way, that they will be sterngthened in power and giving thanks in all things to the Father.The Father has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His own dear Son in whom we have redemotion.

Application

Paul starts off this letter introducing himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. This was not his idea or ambition, it was God’s will.

We may not be where we want to be in life, but we are where God wants us to be. This is so important to bear in mind in a culture that is obsessed with self-direction and self-fulfilment and is not so impressed with self-control.

I am where I am, doing the things I do by the will of God and by His calling. Like clay being moulded into a vessel for God’s purpose, my attitude must always be “Not my will, but yours be done in me Lord.”

Prayer

Lord I give you my life- mind, body, spirit- to be used for your holy purposes. Let the word of truth grow stronger in me to be seen in a life totally surrendered to you. Amen.

Scripture

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.

Observation

If we have been raised with Christ, we should set our minds on the things that are with Christ, the things above, rather than the things on earth.

Therefore we must put to death everything that is earthly- the desires and drives of the sinful flesh.

We have been rescued from the coming judgement, so we must rid ourselves of everything deserving judgement.

Application

Following Jesus is not a matter of taking on an ideology or a world-view. Faith must result in action.

Paul tells us we have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Therefore our lives should be changed.

We must die to our old nature and rise to the new nature. We must rid ourselves of all the bad stuff in order to allow the nature of Christ to dwell in us.

This is not an instant thing, nor is it a form of legalism. It is a process empowered by the Holy Spirit. What we cannot do for ourselves, the Spirit of God does in us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you are changing me daily to be make me more like Christ. Please help me to put off the old nature and to take on the character of Christ. Amen.