Thursday Devo
Scripture:
Colossians 1:23
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.
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.
Commentary:
1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith. The form of this phrase in Greek (using the Gk. particle ei and the indicative mood of the verb epimenō) indicates that Paul fully expects that the Colossian believers will continue in the faith; no doubt is expressed. Nevertheless, the statement shows that faithfulness to the end is essential in the Christian life (cf. Matt. 10:22). not shifting. The idea here is very similar to Jesus’ story contrasting the person who built his house on the sand with the one who built his house on the rock (Matt. 7:24–27). Paul wanted the Colossians to build their house on the solid foundation of truth and not on the shifting sands of false teaching. In all creation is a general statement meaning that the gospel has gone widely throughout the Greco-Roman world, to both Jews and Gentiles (cf. Col. 1:6).
Questions:
- After we seek the truth, we must hold to the truth. We can't be swayed by culture or by our friends and family. There will always be a pull in our culture to drift away from biblical truth. If we aren't intentional, it will erode our foundation of truth and we'll be tempted to try to make scripture fit with whatever we want rather than the other way around. No matter the lifestyles or choices of people in our lives, we must hold to the truth. But following Jesus' example, we must be a people of grace and truth, seeking to always speak the truth in love. Are there some relationships in your life where this is a difficult balance? How can you show someone love (that's living in sin) while still holding to biblical truth and principles? On the flip side, how can throwing truth grenades (truth without grace) damage the Faith and your testimony?
- When comes to your relationship with God, nothing happens automatically. You don't accidentally grow in your faith. It takes intentionality. The drift that happens is AWAY from God, AWAY from truth, AWAY from faith in God and TOWARDS culture and the lies of the enemy. What can you do to keep from drifting? How can you be more intentional about holding to the truth?
Pray:
- That you would hold to the truth.
- That you would be intentional about spiritual growth.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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