Devotional: Colossians 1:1a

Reflection

Philippians 3:4-7

• (Phl 3:4 ESV) though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
• (Phl 3:5 ESV) circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
• (Phl 3:6 ESV) as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
• (Phl 3:7 ESV) But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Discussion

What is your list of worldly accomplishments?  The things you can mention to others to impress upon them your greatness in life?  We all know the person who is a one-upper.  If you got a new car, they got a newer car.  If you took a trip, they took a longer one.  If your kid accomplished something, their kid accomplished that and more.  Maybe they even have a bumper sticker that highlights said accomplishments of their honor child.

 

Paul is maybe the polar opposite of that.  While he really had it all in the way of Jewish accomplishment and status in life, it is not on those life accomplishments that he boasted.  In fact, the one thing Paul counts as important is something he was completely (and literally) blindsided by: being called as an apostle for Christ.

 

In his conversion story we see that Paul is doing everything against promoting the gospel when Jesus calls him to repentance and a life of ministry work.

Connection

Can you saw with Paul that your position in Christ is the most valuable and important element of your life?

 

If you were to get real honest with yourself, what is the one worldly thing that you still hold as the premiere marker of your life’s success?

 

Expansion

Salvation and Preservation

God saves people by their faith in Him alone according to His grace alone through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ alone, not on the basis of any human work.  All of the redeemed are immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit and justified before God beginning the transforming sanctification of the whole person the fruit of which is shown by their attitude and conduct.  Having been saved by faith, we are justified in Christ before God, forgiven of our sins, and held eternally secure by Christ alone forever where we will one day assume a glorified condition with Him forever.  From beginning to end the salvation of people is entirely a work of God to bring glory to His name.

Acts 8:27-30, Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:8-9, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, John 1:12-13, Romans 6:16-18, Romans 9:10-24, John 6:43-45, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, Ezra 18:23, Romans 10:10-21, 2 Peter 3:9, John 12:32, Romans 14:10-12