Sun.’s Devo - Return

Read: Jeremiah 2:31-4:18; Colossians 1:1-17; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 24:21-22 Jeremiah describes Israel as being more sly than an experienced prostitute in finding other lovers. They had reached out for allies of other countries but they had all let them down and Egypt would be no different. The land was polluted with shrines to every kind of god imaginable. God had divorced Israel for her sins but Judah had done worse. She pretended to return to the Lord but her heart was not sorry for her sins. The bottom line was that the Chaldeans were coming from the north and would destroy everything in their path. Jerusalem had a short time to repent because everything they saw now would be torn down. Their idolatry had caused this to happen. The church in Colosse was probably an offshoot of the church in Ephesus. Paul had never been there himself. The church met in the home of Philemon and Epaphras was probably the founder of the church. It was dealing with false teaching that was a blend of pagan/occultism, Jewish legalism, and Christianity. It resembled the early form of Gnosticism. Gnosticism taught that Jesus was not fully man and fully God, but just a semi-divine being that bridged the gap between God and man. So he lacked in authority and ability to meet the needs of the saints. The only way to ‘enlightenment’ was through special knowledge and rigorous discipline. Paul wrote this letter to expose these lies and give the truth. Paul begins by building them up in their faith and commending their love for God and each other. Paul prays that God will give them complete knowledge of his will and spiritual wisdom and understanding He prays that they will bear good fruit and grow to learn to know god better and better. Lord, may we grow and be filled with joy for You have rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of Your dear Son who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.