Glory Fulfilled

Colossians 1:27-28 God wanted to make known to them the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. 

Christ in you, the hope of glory - Knowing Christ brings the certain expectation of future glory.  It is not just a chance of glory, but because of Christ it is certain.

We proclaim Him by instructing and teaching - Christ is revealed to us though instruction and teaching. Are you a student of Christ? Are you under someone's teaching Christ? Are you studying Him on your own? It is an important part of the process.

Mature in Christ - The goal is for us to be mature or complete - yes even perfect- in Christ. The end goal is for the hoped for glory to be fully revealed in us. 

Is the glory of God evident in your life? Do others see it? Keep studying and pursuing knowing Christ! His glory WILL be revealed in you!

Fully Known

...to make the word of God fully known

Colossians 1:25

What do I do to make the Word of God fully known or know to its fullest? It would seem to me that if this is my goal, I should keep several things in mind.

Do I know God's Word?  If I am to make His Word fully known, I should be studying it daily.

Do I know God's full Word? Am I guilty of focussing on part of His Word and ingnoring other parts of it?

Am I making it known? It's one thing for me to read and study it, but if I am just keeping it to myself, that's just keeping my light under a bushel, isn't it.

Am I making it known to all those around me? I may share what God is teaching me through His Word with my family or my friends from church, but am I sharing it with my neighbors or with my coworkers?

Oh Lord, I pray that as I read and study Your Word, you help me to understand it all and see the picture of Your love, holiness, mercy, and grace that is woven throughout it.  Help me to live a life according to Your Word and to share it's glorious riches with ALL those around me.

Amen.

In Harmony

...and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 

Colossians 1:20

Jesus came to reconcile all things.  He came to bring peace. He came to bring harmony.  Do you want that? Do you need that? It doesn't come from you. It comes from Jesus. Not because He was a good man or a good teacher. From His blood shed on the cross. He died to bring peace and harmony. Are you looking to Him for that?

Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to die on the Cross so that I can have peace with You through His blood.

First Born

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 

Colossians 1:15

The firstborn has certain rights and privileges because they were born first. It is through the firstborn that Mom and Dad first learn the wonder of loving their child. How great is the anticipation as you wait for your firstborn child to be born? How amazing is it to hold your firstborn child in your arms and cuddle them? How hard is it the first time you send them off to school? How scared are you the first time they really get sick? Yes, it is so wonderful to love your children and treasure them, but your firstborn you love first.

Jesus is the firstborn of all creation.  How wonderful is He? And our Father in heaven sent Him to be born as a baby, to grow up, live a sinless life, and die on the cross for our sin.  How great the Father's love for us!

Sharing the inheritance

Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 

Have you ever told yourself "I'm not qualified to do that."  Maybe you were thinking of leading a small group or teach a class or speak in front of a large group of people.  I'm not qualified for that.  Maybe there is some club or group or clique that you long to be part of but I'm not qualified for that.  Maybe you'd love to be like people you see on TV or read about on the internet who seem to be able to do whatever they want whenever they want with no worries about the cost, but I'm not qualified for that.

I hate to break it to you, dear reader, but there's a lot neither you nor I are qualified for.  We are sinners and thus we are not qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints. Our sins are so filthy, we shouldn't even be in the same room. Nothing we can do can qualify us for this blessing. Yet, God the Father qualifies us.  He sent His son, the One who was qualified, to die on the cross for our sin so that we might be qualified.  What love! What a blessing.

Rejoice with me that we have been qualified to share in such a wonderful inheritance!

Who has heard of your faith?

since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
Colossians 1:4

Paul is praying for the Colossians because he has hears of their faith. As I read this and examine my heart, I have to ask myself, would Paul be praying for me?  Certainly the people who know me at my church know of my faith. And there's the people who know me from other family activities (that take place at other churches) know of my faith.  But does my neighbor know of my faith?  Does the brother or sister who lives down the street and goes to some church other than mine (and I probably don't even know it) know of my faith?  What of my love for all the saints? My love for most of the saints? My love for even SOME of the saints?  If I find that my love is not known and my faith is not well enough known, I must ask myself what is my faith really in?

Paul talks of the word of truth, the gospel, and how it is bearing fruit and increasing.  I have heard the word of truth and I study it daily. I pray that it may truly be bearing fruit in my life and increasing. I pray too that for you, dear reader, it may also be bearing fruit and increasing.  Is it? Let me know in the comments and will rejoice with you and be praying for you!

Tomorrow: Colossians 1:10-14

Grace and Peace

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Colossians 1:2b

Grace and peace to you...

• Grace, unmerited favor, gift that we do not deserve, that by which we are saved,
• to you, not just someone else, but you dear reader, you, by name, you personally, you specifically,
• and peace, on top of the grace we have the ceasing of hostilities, the quieting of the storms, the stillness of the hectic
• from God, not from ourselves, not from each other, but from God who is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, the Creator of all,
• our, you're not in this alone, we're in this together, two are better than one, right,
• Father, a daddy who loves us, who takes care of us, who provides for us, who makes a home for us

Such a simple opening, but oh what a rich treasure! Do you need grace or peace today? I know that I certainly do. Our heavenly father, who loves us so dearly, has given it to us in Christ. Stand together with me as He gives it to us. Receive it joyfully.

I am reading through Colossians and hoping to blog about it daily as I meditate on what I am reading that day. Already, I find myself greatly encouraged and I'm only two verses in!