Category Archives: Scripture

Bible, Grace, Reconciled, Relationships, Scripture

THE GREAT RECONCILER

COLOSSIANS 1:20

“and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

Reconciliation is a term we use when two parties are at odds with each other and there is an attempt to solve the problem. This sounds easy, but it’s not. Depending on the people involved, this can take a long time. Sometimes, unfortunately, things are never reconciled, and the break is permanent. I have had to experience this in my life. It is painful and hurtful. But we know God heals all wounds. He is the Great Reconciler.

Strong’s Lexicon tells us, “the verb apokatallassó is used in the New Testament to describe the complete and thorough reconciliation between God and humanity through Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the total restoration of a relationship that was once broken due to sin. This term is stronger than the simple form katallassó, indicating a full and complete reconciliation.” Paul is the only Bible author to use this word, and he only uses it three times, once in Ephesians and twice in Colossians.

APPLICATION

In Ephesians 2:16, we see Paul use this word. Let’s back up to verse 15 to get the full context. “15 by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; 16 and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility.” The purpose of God’s reconciliation was peace. It still is.

We will see Paul use this word in Colossians 1:22 in a couple of days. So, with today’s verse and these other two uses, we have the only three times this word is used in the New Testament. That made we wonder something. Since reconciliation is such a big deal, why is it only used three times? That’s a question I will file away and ask the Lord one day.

Remember this from today’s verse. Reconciliation is the total restoration of a relationship that was once broken due to sin. This applies first and foremost in our relationship with God. But it also applies to our human relationships. Sin is what breaks relationships. That sin could be in the life of one or both of the people involved. Keep your life walking in the Spirit so you will not satisfy the desires of the flesh. Amen?

O Lord, thank You for reconciling me back into a perfect relationship with You. Help me do that with others.

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Bible, Father, Love, Pleasure, Scripture

THE FATHER’S PLEASURE

COLOSSIANS 1:19

“For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,” 

It is in children’s DNA to want to please their fathers. There’s just something about hearing your dad say, “Proud of you, son.” I can remember growing up seeking my dad’s approval. Whether it was catching the biggest fish or bagging the most doves, I wanted my dad’s approval. I know he was proud of me. He told me on several occasions. It always moved me deeply.

We should have the same desire to please our Heavenly Father. But wait, look at the verse today. It says, “it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him.” The Father did something for His Son which gave Him pleasure. He does the same for us today. It gives the Father pleasure to fill us with His Holy Spirit. He is the One who indwells us now, and it pleases Him.

APPLICATION

Listen, you don’t have to do things to gain God’s love. However, when we do things that honor Him, I believe it gives Him pleasure. In Matthew 3:17, we read what God said about His Son. The same word is used there as we see in today’s verse. “and behold, a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”

We can best please our Heavenly Father by living a life that honors Him. Just as we do not want to do anything to dishonor our earthly fathers, we should strive every day to live honorably, pleasing Him. We don’t do it to earn His pleasure. We do it because we know it will. Get the difference?

How will you live today to honor Him? You know you can hear Him say, “This is My beloved child, with whom I am well pleased.” Think of the example you are showing your children or grandchildren. Remember, He is pleased with you because He loves you.

Father, I want to live today in a way that pleases You.

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Bible, First, Head, Preeminence, Scripture

FIRST PLACE

COLOSSIANS 1:18

“He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” 

I don’t recall getting many first place ribbons. I am sure I did, but I just don’t remember. Funny how age erases certain memories. If I did win first place, I guarantee you my mama kept that ribbon or a picture of the event. My sister is still finding things she saved throughout our childhoods. She cherished all our victories.

Jesus doesn’t need a first place ribbon to show everyone that He is first – in everything. Just look at what Paul writes in today’s verse. He calls Him “the head of the body,” “the beginning,” “the firstborn from the dead” and “He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” What else could be said. Paul knew where Jesus stood in line – at the very front. No one was before Him. We are to follow Him. He is our example.

APPLICATION

What does it mean to you to say Jesus has first place in your life? Albert Barnes says this about Paul’s description of Jesus. “He might have the pre-eminence – Greek, ‘might be first’ – πρωτεύων prōteuōn. That is, might be first in rank, dignity, honor, power. He has the pre-eminence: (1) as over the universe which He has formed – as its Creator and Proprietor; (2) as Chief among those who shall rise from the dead – since He first rose to die no more, and their resurrection depends on Him; (3) as Head of the church – all synods, councils, and governments being subject to Him, and He alone having a right to give law to His people; and, (4) in the affections of His friends – being in their affections and confidence superior to all others.”

Is that what you think? What place does He have in your life? Oh Carl, of course He has first place in my life. Oh really. Are you willing to do whatever He asks of you? Are you willing to give whatever He asks of you? Are you willing to go wherever He asks you to go? Before you say He is first, make sure you can answer these questions in the affirmative.

Jesus does not settle for second best. He doesn’t want your leftovers. He desires the first fruits of your labor. He desires your very best. He demands total allegiance. This year make that your aim. Give Him the very best year you can. That will bring Him glory. And at the proper time, He will exalt you!

O Lord, My God, I surrender my all to You today. I want to place You above everything else in my life.

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Bible, Eternity, Faithfulness, Love, Scripture

SUPERNATURAL SUPERGLUE

COLOSSIANS 1:17

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” 

Have you ever used superglue? To the experienced user, it is a wonder glue. It can hold just about anything together. Therein lies the problem. If you are a first time user, you may just glue things together that you don’t want glued together. You have to be careful with it because it sticks really good and really fast. I have the mistakes to prove it.

The good thing about God’s superglue is it is always applied perfectly. Why am I talking about God’s superglue? Well, just take a look at the verse today. The last part says, “in Him all things hold together.” The Greek word for “hold together” has a deeper meaning than just holding together two things. It has the idea of standing with someone, of commending someone. In the Greek world, letters of introduction on someone’s behalf were a way of commending someone and saying, “I stand with this person.” That’s what God does for us.

APPLICATION

This same Greek word is used in Romans 5:8 where it says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God stands behind His love for us, even when we didn’t deserve it. That’s some mighty powerful superglue, right? I was pretty sleazy and undeserving before His love was applied to me. But it still stuck.

In 2 Corinthians 10:18 we see that word again. “For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” It’s interesting that the word is used both positively and negatively in this verse. You can’t commend yourself. You are only approved when the Lord commends you. In other words, your own brand of superglue won’t stick. But God’s will.

Are you feeling sticky yet? All this talk about superglue may seem tacky (pun intended), but I want you to understand how firm a grip God’s love has on you once it is applied. You have to ask for the glue, though. God won’t just squirt you down with it. Once He does you will never be separated from Him again. You are bound forever. Hallelujah!

O Lord, thank You for applying Your superglue of love in my life.

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Bible, Creation, Glorify, God's Will, Purpose, Scripture

BY HIS HANDS

COLOSSIANS 1:16

“for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.” 

Creation is such an amazing event. We read in Genesis how the Lord spoke everything into existence and then reached down and formed man with His hands. He breathed into him the breath of life. No one evolved into existence. Everything that has ever lived on this earth was the result of God’s interaction. Today’s verse reminds us of this.

Paul took the time to expound on the life we have in Christ. Jesus was there at the very dawn of creation. He was involved in creation. I just love the last phrase of this verse – “all things have been created through Him and for Him.” We not only were His creation. He created us for Himself. Wow! God wanted to make me just like I am. You have heard the expression that God does not make junk. Amen to that. You are special to Him because He chose to create you.

APPLICATION

Barnes speaks of this verse and says this, “the assertion is, that the ‘creative’ power of Christ was exerted on ‘all things.’ It is not in reference to angels only, or to men, or to Jews, or to Gentiles; it is in relation to ‘everything in heaven and in earth;’ that is, to the whole universe.” That kind of covers it, don’t you think?

Why should we, the creation of God, ever doubt His creative work in us? He has made us for a purpose – for His glory. Therefore, all that we do should give glory to Him. So, let me ask you a question. Do you do that? Are you giving Him glory in all that you do? Or are you complaining because your nose is too big or that you are too tall or too short. Remember, God doesn’t make any junk.

Give praise to Him today for creating you in your mother’s womb. Give praise to Him today for making you just like He wanted to – warts and all. Sure, we can all do things to take care of ourselves physically. We can improve our health. But God made you to give Him glory. And if He did that, He expects you to do that.

Father, You are the great Creator. It is You who have made me to glorify You.

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Bible, Image, Invisible, Nature, Scripture

INVISIBLE GOD

COLOSSIANS 1:15

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation:” 

If I could have any attribute of God, it would invisibility. Wouldn’t that be cool? You could walk around and no one would know you were there. You could move things around and trick people without them seeing you. Now, I’m just kidding. I don’t really want that. I had rather be seen by others. I want them to know I am there. But God’s invisibility is mentioned in Scripture several times. Let’s take a look at a few.

In today’s verse, Paul says that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God.” He was God in the flesh. That’s not to say that God looks just like Jesus did in the flesh. He was the eikon of God, which means He reflected the very form and nature of God. God Himself remains unseen because we cannot handle His glory in our human flesh. His invisibility is really for our protection.

APPLICATION

In Romans 1:20 we see the same word for “invisible” used. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” We can’t see God’s attributes, but we can see the effect. All around us we can see God’s hand at work.

1 Timothy 1:17 uses the word. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” In this verse, Paul is giving praise to our God and King and calls Him the invisible God. Paul had been struck blind on the road to Damascus by God Himself. He knew of His glory. The brightness of that encounter left him with scales on his eyes that were only removed by God’s intervention through Ananias.

In Hebrews 11:27 we see Moses described when the writer says, “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though seeing Him who is unseen.” One commentator said this, “The antonym of faith is not fear – it is sight.” Through faith we see God – not the physical manifestation of Him but the effects of Him in our lives. Is God invisible? Yes! But is He seen daily in our lives? You had better believe it.

God, thank You for showing Yourself to me every day!

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Bible, Blood, Forgiveness, Redemption, Sacrifice, Scripture

THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS

COLOSSIANS 1:14

“in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Forgiveness is a big thing! Probably the biggest struggle Christians wrestle with is forgiveness. Many can’t believe that God would forgive them of all their sins. They were just too bad. Others believe because God has forgiven them of their sins, they are free to live any way they want. Both thoughts are in error. That reminds me of Matthew 22:29 where Jesus told the Pharisees, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” I think that verse applies to this topic of forgiveness.

Paul is reminding these Colossian believers that their forgiveness rests only in the redemption they received through the blood of Christ. We do not have the ability to pay the price required by God. He demanded shed blood and not just any blood. It required the divine, pure blood of the Lamb of God. That redemption was provided for all of us for eternity. We just have to accept the free gift offered and live for Him.

APPLICATION

The Greek word used here for “redemption” is apolýtrōsis. HELPS Word Studies gives this definition, which I think is so good. It “emphasizes the distance (“safety-margin”) that results between the rescued person, and what previously enslaved them. For the believer, the prefix (apó) looks back to God’s effective work of grace, purchasing them from the debt of sin and bringing them to their new status (being in Christ).”

We have been delivered a safe distance from sin’s power and the penalty of it. We just have to believe that Christ has done that. We don’t have to understand it. We just accept it. If we could really understand all that went into our forgiveness, it would not be a God given miracle, would it? Accept it and believe it.

How about the extension of that forgiveness to others? If Christ has forgiven us so much, can’t we forgive those who have hurt us? This is another part of forgiveness that cripples so many believers. In order to please our Lord, we must forgive others as He has forgiven us. Everything else falls short. Forgive someone today.

Lord, thank You for forgiving me. I know I did not deserve it, but I am so thankful for it.

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Bible, Darkness, Deliverance, Light, Rescue, Scripture

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

COLOSSIANS 1:13

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,” 

Don’t you just love this verse? The imagery Paul uses is so good. You would think he had help writing this. Oh wait, he did! The Holy Spirit guided his thoughts and words as he penned each letter. It is my prayer each morning as I write these devotional blogs that the Holy Spirit guides me. I am not saying my writing is inspired. Far from it. But I only want to write what agrees with His Word and the truth He gives. Amen?

Look at what Paul said here. God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, rescued us from the devil’s grip (domain of darkness) and then transferred us to His kingdom. Wow! The word Paul uses here for “rescued” is rhuomai, which is the same word Jesus used when He gave us the Lord’s prayer and said, “deliver us from evil.” That’s the domain of darkness! Jesus saved us from that! Hallelujah!

APPLICATION

But the Deliverer didn’t stop there. He didn’t just deliver us out of darkness. He also transferred us to His kingdom. The Greek word for “transferred” is methistémi, which means to change a position of something. Jesus literally changed our position, from one of damnation to one of glorification. We were moved from slavery to freedom.

If that is true (and it is), why do we still walk around with a dark cloud over our head? Why do we not walk like we belong in His kingdom? Many believers walk around like they are still in that domain of darkness. They sound like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, who was always gloomy and sad. No! We have been set free and now live in His light!

Here we are a few days after Christmas when we should all be looking at the light! That star that pointed the Wise Men to baby Jesus is still pointing the way for us today. Choose to walk in the light of His kingdom and shun the darkness. He made a way for us. Enjoy the light!

Father of lights, shine down on us today and remind us of the light of Christmas every day.

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Bible, Eternity, Heirs, Inheritance, Qualifications, Scripture

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

COLOSSIANS 1:12

“joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

I have had a lot of different types of jobs over my 64 years of life. I had a lawn mowing business with my brother, Tim, when I was young. The qualifications for that job were simple. Know how to crank a mower and sweat, lol. I progressed to service station attendant where I learned how to service cars, change tires and work with customers. Over the years different jobs required different qualifications. Yet it always seemed that the Lord did the qualifying before the job arose.

Paul uses a Greek word for “has qualified” that is only used by him in the New Testament. He only uses it here and in 2 Corinthians 3:6 where he says, “who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” The word is hikanoó which implies empowerment from an outside source for a particular role or assignment. God qualifies or makes us adequate. It is not something we can do ourselves.

APPLICATION

In today’s verse, God is qualifying us “to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Wow! That sounds pretty exciting, doesn’t it? This inheritance is spoken of throughout the New Testament. In Romans 8:17 we read, “and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

1 Peter 1:4 says this, “and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,” John tells us in Revelation 21:7, “The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.”

Three different writers saying the same thing. God has birthed us into His family, thus making us heirs with Christ in His kingdom light. We have been delivered from the domain of darkness. We will reign with Him eternally. And what qualifies us? Nothing we have done. He qualifies us through His Son. Once we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are qualified. We are His. He is ours. That is the highest qualification ever!

O Lord, thank You for qualifying me to be a part of Your eternal dynasty!

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Bible, Patience, Perseverance, Power, Scripture, Strength

STRENGTHENED FOR WHAT?

COLOSSIANS 1:11

“strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience;” 

People lift weights and build muscle for a variety of reasons. Some do it to make their work easier. Others do it because they just enjoy working out. Still others do it to compete in muscle building contests. I know a few people in that latter category. They aren’t showboats or braggarts. They just love to compete, and this is their way of doing that. This type of training takes a lot of time. They have to persevere through pain and have to be patient as they see the results of their workouts.

Paul tells us today that we are to be “strengthened with all power.” Whose power? Well, Paul knew of only one source of true power – God. He prays for His power to strengthen us. The particular Greek word Paul uses here for “strengthened” is dunamoó. It “implies an infusion of strength or power, typically from an external source, such as God or the Holy Spirit, enabling individuals to perform tasks or endure situations beyond their natural capacity.” (Strong’s Lexicon) This particular form of this Greek word is only used twice in the New Testament. Here and also in Hebrews 11:34 referring to the faithful saints who were made strong in their weakness.

APPLICATION

How has the Lord strengthened you? Has He given you the strength to persevere through trials, to be patient in the midst of chaos? Think for just a minute about the last trial you went through. Maybe you are in one right now. As you pray about these trials, how does the Lord strengthen you? What does He say to you as you pour out your heart to Him?

The Greek word for “perseverance” means to be faithful under pressure. It means to trust in the promises of God, even though you cannot see a way out. It is total reliance on Him to see you through. You just keep putting one foot in front of another. It’s not blind faith because you know the one who is leading you. It’s patience in the midst of circumstances.

The word used for “patience” here is often translated as “long-suffering.” This word refers to patience with people. We all have people who can push our buttons, don’t we? That’s what this word is for. It can mean to show forbearance. It’s not just putting up with that person. It’s seeing them through God’s eyes and not our passion. Try that this week with family!

Who strengthens you? I think you know the answer to that. Trust His strength which is given to you as just the right time.

Father, strengthen me today so I can show perseverance and patience in my circumstances and towards others.

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