Top 10 Benefits To Being In Christ
Day 1
Read Colossians 1:1-14
The book of Colossians and the book of Ephesians are heavily related. Some think they were written together or at least part of a similar path of circulation that was passed around to the churches in the area. You will find a lot of the same themes in them both, which is why I think it will benefit our study of Ephesians to also go through Colossians as we get started.
Although he handles it in a different way in Colossians, Paul starts the same way he does in Ephesians. He talks about the faith of the church that he has heard about and how thankful he is for it. He then goes on to explain a faith that is “in Christ” and although he doesn’t use that phrase 10 times here as in Ephesians 1, notice how he is saying something very similar. He expresses that to have faith in Jesus is more than just a checkbox style belief system, but a kingdom transferring, life changing type of thing. Paul leaves no room for a faith that sits still and does nothing more than believe.
What do you think he means by the phrase “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord?”
How are endurance and patience working together in your life right now (verse 11)?
Paul used the image of “transferred from the domain of darkness”, how would you explain that reality to someone new to the Bible?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
The book of Colossians and the book of Ephesians are heavily related. Some think they were written together or at least part of a similar path of circulation that was passed around to the churches in the area. You will find a lot of the same themes in them both, which is why I think it will benefit our study of Ephesians to also go through Colossians as we get started.
Although he handles it in a different way in Colossians, Paul starts the same way he does in Ephesians. He talks about the faith of the church that he has heard about and how thankful he is for it. He then goes on to explain a faith that is “in Christ” and although he doesn’t use that phrase 10 times here as in Ephesians 1, notice how he is saying something very similar. He expresses that to have faith in Jesus is more than just a checkbox style belief system, but a kingdom transferring, life changing type of thing. Paul leaves no room for a faith that sits still and does nothing more than believe.
What do you think he means by the phrase “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord?”
How are endurance and patience working together in your life right now (verse 11)?
Paul used the image of “transferred from the domain of darkness”, how would you explain that reality to someone new to the Bible?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Day 2
Read Colossians 1:15-29
This section is full of so many of those hardcore, baseline, you got to believe this theological truths. You could almost tell the whole story of salvation and God’s purpose out of these verses alone. This also teaches us a lot of really important truths that separate who Jesus is, more than just a great teacher. He is the firstborn of all of Creation, and participated in Creation, has the complete fullness of the Godhead (fully God, fully man), the head of the Church, resurrected from the dead, and so on.
Then Paul focuses on our specific identity. He talks about our sin nature that has now been forgiven and that we have been reconciled back to God through the cross. All of this is for the purpose of us being able to live lives holy and blameless, above reproach for God. Then he encourages us to continue on that path of faith, not just making it a one time decision that was made in an emotional plea.
Paul talks about the “stewardship from God that was given to” him for the church. What do you think this means and how can that idea be applied to your life?
Paul had the goal of presenting everyone mature in Christ. What do you think that means and how is that our goal also, or should it be?
Paul explained what he labored for in life with all of the energy that God was working in his life and it was for other people. What do you labor for with all of your energy in life and how does thinking about that help you adjust your focus for today?
How does today’s devotion inform your prayers?
This section is full of so many of those hardcore, baseline, you got to believe this theological truths. You could almost tell the whole story of salvation and God’s purpose out of these verses alone. This also teaches us a lot of really important truths that separate who Jesus is, more than just a great teacher. He is the firstborn of all of Creation, and participated in Creation, has the complete fullness of the Godhead (fully God, fully man), the head of the Church, resurrected from the dead, and so on.
Then Paul focuses on our specific identity. He talks about our sin nature that has now been forgiven and that we have been reconciled back to God through the cross. All of this is for the purpose of us being able to live lives holy and blameless, above reproach for God. Then he encourages us to continue on that path of faith, not just making it a one time decision that was made in an emotional plea.
Paul talks about the “stewardship from God that was given to” him for the church. What do you think this means and how can that idea be applied to your life?
Paul had the goal of presenting everyone mature in Christ. What do you think that means and how is that our goal also, or should it be?
Paul explained what he labored for in life with all of the energy that God was working in his life and it was for other people. What do you labor for with all of your energy in life and how does thinking about that help you adjust your focus for today?
How does today’s devotion inform your prayers?
Day 3
Read Colossians 2:1-15
I love the heart of Paul as a pastor. He loved people and desperately worked to help bring people into a deeper understanding of what it means to live in Christ. It is one thing to feel this way toward a church of people you get to spend time with and be around, but Paul’s ministry was one that traveled a lot and he didn’t spend as much time with people. That makes it even more incredible that he has this heart for those that he only kind of knew. But notice that this section is letting us know that Paul is not talking to the people that he knows, but rather to the people of the churches that he only knows about! I wonder how we could get a love for the people of God like that!
Paul’s concern for those people in his absence was that a false teacher would come along and start to uproot just enough of his foundational teaching as they could to ruin it. He was worried about those teachings that are close and appealing in a far away view, but were destructive and dangerous up close.
It seems important for us to be in care of other people’s relationship with Jesus even while we are taking care of our own. So who do you have around you that you are deliberately helping them in their relationship with Jesus? If you don’t have someone, how can you move in that direction?
What are some ways that Paul tells us we can notice the false teachers around us?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
I love the heart of Paul as a pastor. He loved people and desperately worked to help bring people into a deeper understanding of what it means to live in Christ. It is one thing to feel this way toward a church of people you get to spend time with and be around, but Paul’s ministry was one that traveled a lot and he didn’t spend as much time with people. That makes it even more incredible that he has this heart for those that he only kind of knew. But notice that this section is letting us know that Paul is not talking to the people that he knows, but rather to the people of the churches that he only knows about! I wonder how we could get a love for the people of God like that!
Paul’s concern for those people in his absence was that a false teacher would come along and start to uproot just enough of his foundational teaching as they could to ruin it. He was worried about those teachings that are close and appealing in a far away view, but were destructive and dangerous up close.
It seems important for us to be in care of other people’s relationship with Jesus even while we are taking care of our own. So who do you have around you that you are deliberately helping them in their relationship with Jesus? If you don’t have someone, how can you move in that direction?
What are some ways that Paul tells us we can notice the false teachers around us?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Day 4
Read Colossians 2:16-23
I like Cheez-its. Regular ole, plain Cheez-its. I can go to the store and buy these other types of Cheez-its with different kinds of cheeses and other spices in them as well. But those are garbage. The original is best and I don’t care if you puff it up, make it large sized, make it tiny, turn it a different color, or whatever other kind of Cheez-it sorcery they think they can do at the factory, it won’t be as good. So stop messing with the original and let’s get over these foolish games.
Paul doesn’t have as strong of a Cheez-it opinion as I do, but he does have that same type of philosophy when it comes to Jesus and theology. He warns us about getting wrapped up in all of the details that derail with extra flavors and twists. He warns that you will catch wind of these by noticing that they have an appearance of wisdom, but they have no value in curbing the way we are. The true Gospel of Jesus is enough to do all that is needed, so we need not add anything to it in any way.
What are some of the things that Paul mentions here about the false teachings that seem similar to something you have seen in our modern days?
How would it look for someone to pass judgment on you for those things Paul warns about?
What do you think it means that these things have an appearance of wisdom and how can you tell the difference?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
I like Cheez-its. Regular ole, plain Cheez-its. I can go to the store and buy these other types of Cheez-its with different kinds of cheeses and other spices in them as well. But those are garbage. The original is best and I don’t care if you puff it up, make it large sized, make it tiny, turn it a different color, or whatever other kind of Cheez-it sorcery they think they can do at the factory, it won’t be as good. So stop messing with the original and let’s get over these foolish games.
Paul doesn’t have as strong of a Cheez-it opinion as I do, but he does have that same type of philosophy when it comes to Jesus and theology. He warns us about getting wrapped up in all of the details that derail with extra flavors and twists. He warns that you will catch wind of these by noticing that they have an appearance of wisdom, but they have no value in curbing the way we are. The true Gospel of Jesus is enough to do all that is needed, so we need not add anything to it in any way.
What are some of the things that Paul mentions here about the false teachings that seem similar to something you have seen in our modern days?
How would it look for someone to pass judgment on you for those things Paul warns about?
What do you think it means that these things have an appearance of wisdom and how can you tell the difference?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Day 5
Read Colossians 3:1-25
Now it is time for Paul to lay out the practicality that we want. This is the machine gun approach to practical living like a follower of Jesus. There is no way you can read this and not find something in this list to speak to your life and that you find you need to learn from. In fact, it may do us good to read it twice and I will save you having to read more commentary if you promise to do that!
So, what part speaks to you right now?
What does it mean to let the word of God dwell in us richly and how do you do that?
What does it mean to sing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness?
How do you do EVERYTHING in the name of the Lord?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Now it is time for Paul to lay out the practicality that we want. This is the machine gun approach to practical living like a follower of Jesus. There is no way you can read this and not find something in this list to speak to your life and that you find you need to learn from. In fact, it may do us good to read it twice and I will save you having to read more commentary if you promise to do that!
So, what part speaks to you right now?
What does it mean to let the word of God dwell in us richly and how do you do that?
What does it mean to sing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness?
How do you do EVERYTHING in the name of the Lord?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
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