Good morning! Have you had a situation where something you were holding needed to be brought together? While you attempted to bring it together you knew you needed something strong to hold it together. Maybe you used super glue or zip ties or tape or rope. Today, as we begin our reading in Colossians chapter two, Apostle Paul talks about a way for believers to be knit together. Enjoy today’s devotion and your weekend.

Bible verse – Colossians 2:1-5 NLT

“ ¹ I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. ²  I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. ³ In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

⁴ I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. ⁵ For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.”

Reflection

Apostle Paul was concerned for, prayed for, and encouraged believers he had never met. He knew that there was opposition against those who believed in Christ. He knew there were people disrupting believers understanding of the truth of Christ Jesus. Therefore, Paul continued to teach the truth of Christ, by providing additional insight about Christ.

There were two things Apostle Paul wanted. He wanted the believers to:

• be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love

• have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 

Sisters and brothers, through Christ Jesus we learn more about God’s greater plan and love for His children. We begin to understand the knowledge of the truth and we gain wisdom on how to apply it to our lives.

It is in our understanding of God’s truth and application of it that keeps believers from being misled by false teachers. That is why it is important for people, but especially believers to read the Bible for themselves and spend time studying and applying it to life. There are so many false narratives that divide the church, but Apostle Paul reminds us that we should be united in love, “encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love“.

Questions to ponder, since Christ is in you (Colossians 1:27):

• How are you or how will you encourage other believers?
• How are you learning more about Christ and applying what you learn to your life?
• Who will you extend love to today?

Prayer

Father God, thank you for waking us up this morning. Thank you for revealing truth and giving us wisdom. Thank you for sending your son Jesus to save us. Lord Jesus, thank you for being our bread of life that sustains us and the water of life that never runs dry. Lord, you are always providing and we are entirely grateful for all that you have done for us. Lord, we desire to know and understand your truth. Lord Jesus, as we seek to learn more, put a yearning in our heart not to depart from your teaching. Lord, help us to fully understand the word of God and the truth of Christ Jesus so that when others attempt to deceive us with doubt or well-crafted arguments that we will be able to stand firm in your truth – not man’s version of the truth. Lord, continue to keep us humble, but bold in your truth. Help us to build bridges for others to come to know Christ instead of being a hindrance. Lord, we seek to be a good example/witness for Christ. Continue to transform us to be more like you. In Jesus name, amen.

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