# 50 2018 Dev. Col. 2:6. Spiritual fullness! Read verses 1-15. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Colossians 2:6 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Paul begins chapter two with an introduction; stating his purpose and his desire for all to have a full life in Christ. Paul had not met the people of this church personally nor had he met the the people of the church at Laodicea. Paul is contending hard for both of these groups “and for all who have not met me (him) personally.” Paul is in a spiritual battle with those who would lead them astray, contending in prayer for all who were being led astray. He prays for unity, for love, for understanding “the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Other self proclaimed leaders were promoting a gospel that included human effort to be saved; secret knowledge, circumcision, refraining from certain foods, participating in religious festivals. Paul draws a comparison in vs. 6-7 with vs. 8; pointing to what he said before, he encourages believers to live their lives in Christ as they did when they first believed. “Rooted and built up in him”, Christ living in our hearts by faith and overflowing to others in thankfulness.
Verse 8 paints a picture of emptiness, an unfulfilled life chained by evil forces of this world. People, often blessed with worldly goods, who have nothing to live for and nothing to look forward to.
I ask, how do I fit into this comparison? How do you?
Paul continues, pointing out Christ’s fullness of God and by Him we are also filled to complete fullness in the Holy Spirit. “Your whole self ruled by the flesh as put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” That puts an end to any human philosophy, and baptism replaces circumcision. Further, our debt and condemnation is removed, “nailed to the cross”, only by the power of God are we saved and by faith we are filled in the Spirit. Amen!
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