Devotional: Colossians 1:12-14
Reflection
(Col 1:9 ESV) And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
(Col 1:10 ESV) so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
(Col 1:11 ESV) being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
(Col 1:12 ESV) giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
(Col 1:13 ESV) He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
(Col 1:14 ESV) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Discussion
Why is it hard for us to accept the concept of freely given grace from God granting us salvation? Maybe it is pride or a feeling of independence. Maybe we find comfort in knowing we have done something to secure for ourselves salvation. It is easy to ask the question: What if I didn’t do it right or didn’t do enough? Am I still saved? The harder question is: What kind of panty-waist God needs you to impress Him enough that you can be saved? What are we doing here? Picking kick-ball teams on the schoolyard? Is God some pimple-faced kid making sure His team kicks the farthest, runs the fastest, and wins the game?
If God is truly God then He must be sovereign over all things. That includes the world and all the things in it. You and I included and everything that we encounter in our lives. If God is sovereign over everything, He is not God at all.
Connection
What is the hardest thing to think about when you consider the sovereign nature of salvation?
Why is it more comforting to think you have requirements to fulfill in being saved by God?
How is the unconditional grace of God freeing for your life and faith?
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