Tues.’s Devo - Christ in Us

Read Colossians 1-4; Philemon
Paul must have gotten settled in his Roman prison where he is give much liberty. He is allowed to write and send letters to the church. Paul has just gone through shipwreck and much peril but is able to encourage the churches he started through letters. Colossians 1:9-12 is a great prayer to put to memory and pray for the people on your prayer list.
Later in that same chapter, Paul talks about the mystery of the gospel which is “Christ in us.” That is truly a mystery that takes the help of the Holy Spirit to comprehend. But…if and when we ever do comprehend it, the church will be unstoppable. In the Godhead is all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge. All that is in us! We are not to remain “sinners saved by grace” but we are quickened together with Jesus and have spoiled principalities and powers, triumphing over them. We are risen with Christ and our life is hid with Christ in God. So, let’s put on the new man which is renewed in the knowledge of God. This new man is holy, beloved of God, merciful, kind, humble, meek, long-suffering, forbearing, forgiving and most of all loving. We are to allow peace to rule our hearts instead of fear and to let the Word dwell in us. In it is the teachings of Jesus and songs we can sing to have peace. Everything we do should be done for Jesus we should always being thankful.
Paul ends his letter to Colosse with encouragement to the body and individuals by name. I can’t imagine the joy they had as they heard their name being mentioned in Paul’s letters. We need each other.
Paul wrote a personal letter to Philemon. Philemon was a wealthy man of Colosse who had come to Christ through Paul’s ministry. He had a slave named Onesimus who had run away to Rome. Paul met him in Rome and converted and mentored him. It was now time for Onesimus to come home and repent before his master. Paul is sending this letter with him to encourage Philemon to forgive Onesimus and see that he is a changed man. That is what Christianity is all about…second chances.
Lord, help us to realize the mystery of the gospel and to walk in power and authority and humility. May we forgive and see people through your eyes.