Good morning! Yesterday we read Colossians 1:18-20, which is “For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.” We will continue our reading in Colossians where Apostle Paul focused on the Colossians’ relationship with God, which also applies to all believers.

Bible verse – Colossians 1:21-23 NLT

“²¹ This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. ²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

²³ But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.”

Reflection

Apostle Paul understood the challenges that go along with being a faithful follower of Christ. However, he reminded the believers of what life was like before they accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord. Prior to them knowing Christ they had no hope. They were destined to hell because they were sinful and evil. Yet, because of Christ and what He did at the cross – being the perfect sacrifice for our sins, all believers have and will be reconciled to God.

Sisters and brothers, sometimes our day-to-day task get in the way of our relationship with God. We sometimes forget where Christ has brought us from. Sadly, we also get so comfortable with forgiveness that is extended to us, that some Christians use it as a crutch to do things or live outside of God’s will, but become extremely judgmental when others do the same. Don’t get me wrong, no one is perfect – only God is. Yet, let’s not use that as an excuse not to mature in our faith or grow in our relationship with God.

Despite our past, God desires to be in relationship with us – don’t drift away. Look for opportunities to spend more time with God. Continue to believe the truth and stand firm in it.

Questions to ponder:

• Do you remember what your life was like before you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior?
• Do you remember how you desired to spend time with God and to learn more about Christ?
• Do you remember the release of the weight and burdens you felt when you gave your life to Christ?
• What has changed since then (e.g., are you drifting)?

Prayer

Father God, thank you for waking us up this morning. Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Thank you for making a way for our sins to be forgiven and for us to be reconciled back to You. Lord Jesus, work in our hearts and minds to be more like you. Strengthen our faith and resolve to remain committed to following all Your ways. Lord, we desire to do your will and seek after you with our whole heart. Lord, when we begin to doubt Your truth restore our belief. Lord, when we begin to drift from your word and truth draw us back even closer than we were. When the enemy begins to plant seeds of doubt and attempts to bring up our past, help us to focus fully upon you and what you say about who we are in you – saved, forgiven, loved, redeemed and Yours. Lord, help us to mature in our faith and trust you. Lord, we continue to pray for our nation. Lord, we seek your peace and ask that you heal and unite us in your truth and love. Lord, help us to forgive as you have fogiven us. Help us to trust you in every situation in our lives. Help us to be obedient to you. In Jesus name, amen.

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