The book of Colossians has continued to bring much food for thought and wisdom for living …
The memory verse for this week: “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude.” (Colossians 3:16)
In Colossians 3:3-4, we find Paul reminding us that our lives are hid in Christ.
Our lives should be changing with each day we are alive. We are living out our sanctification – the process of becoming holy and more like Christ – moment by moment.
I don’t know about you, but some days I wonder if I have grown at all. I can become so aware of my shortcomings. This from the study brought me such peace and hope:
“One small bit of growth in holiness day by day adds up to a life that has been transformed by the faithfulness of God.”
(from Colossians: Rooted in Him, page 104)
How good is that! Day by day, as we journey with Him we are changed, and we will one day see the transformation that took place in its entirety.
“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” (1 John 3:2, NASB)
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Colossians 3:9-11 brought a few thoughts:
- Do not lie to one another.
- We are being renewed to a true knowledge and that knowledge comes from our Creator alone.
- When we are renewed, we don’t see the differences in people, for Christ is in all.
“Is it any wonder that a perpetual tool of the enemy is to cause racial division?”
(from Colossians: Rooted in Him, page 112)
The Gospel unites. Racism divides.
The reflection questions ask: The process of sanctification is an ongoing and continual process. How does this process take place? How does the gospel break down the barrier between people groups?
The Gospel fills our hearts with God’s love, thus breaking down the differences from one group to another. Jesus unites us, making us one people, one church. We are all His.
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We closed out what felt like such a long week with reading Colossians 3:14-15.
“Beyond all these things” … beyond all these qualities, put on love.
Love, the perfect bond. It’s the glue which will hold families together.It will bring people with varied opinions and beliefs to dwell together in unity. In peace.
And we are in desperate need of peace and unity. But it needs to begin and be rooted in love.
From this bond will come peace – the peace of Christ and it will rule our hearts and minds.
The study asks: How is Jesus the perfect demonstration of love and peace? Which of these aspects is most difficult for you?
The week closed out with a most personal thought:
“So we cling to Him and grow in Him and little by little through that process of sanctification He will grow those things in us.”
(from Colossians: Rooted in Him, page 120)
Sweet friends, may we cling to Jesus more and more!
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Our lives are changed day by day –
He unites us and makes us one,
as we cling to Him more and more.
Photo 1: by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Tetiana Padurets on Unsplash
Comfort and peace are found when we cling to the Father. Great message.
“….transformed by the faithfulness of God.” Living faithfully every day has been on my mind today. It is an ongoing process, living our lives out with faith, hope, and love. As I make my bed, do the dishes again, and all those other daily tasks that don’t seem to be moving me anywhere, may I remind myself that faithfulness is a “day to day journey.”
Hi Joanne, what you said there, some days you feel like you haven’t grown at all. I feel that way often too. It is encouraging that we are growing from glory to glory. It is so key to continue in God’s word all the time. Great post.
God bless
Tracy
Great post – was just thinking this morning how the darkness wants to make hate abound – Christ came that love would abound – more and more as His children choose to overcome the darkness through Him.