Devotional: Colossians 1:20-23

Reflection

• (Col 1:20 ESV) and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
• (Col 1:21 ESV) And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
• (Col 1:22 ESV) he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
• (Col 1:23 ESV) if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Discussion

We affirm that Christ is the root and cause of our salvation.  It was by His perfect like and sacrificial death that we have any hope of being redeemed.  We acknowledge that the Father sent the Son for this very work – and that the two of them are one.   What about the Holy Spirit?  What role does He play in our salvation?

 

It might sound easy enough to say, “Well the Holy Spirit is part of that trinity thing of God so He must just do it all the same too.”  Is that right?  We know the Holy Spirit comes to indwell all believers following their conversion, but is there any work before that?  There is indeed.

Connection

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 and notice who directs us beginning to end in our lives:

 

Read John 16:7 and notice who will be sent once Jesus leaves the earth.

 

Read: John 16:12-15 and notice who Jesus says will come next to complete the work:

 

Read 2 Corinthians 12:4-11 and notice who empowers people to be able to even enter into the word of God:

 

Read Acts 1:8 and notice from where the disciples would receive their power when Jesus leaves:

 

Expansion

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God.  As the third member of the trinity He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son.  He inspired men to write the Scriptures and enables us to understand them.  The Holy Spirit convicts the people of God of their sin, calls them to salvation, transforms their lives according to the will of God, equips them for service, and preserves them for eternity. 

1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Romans 8:9-11, Hebrews 9:13-14, 1 Peter 4:14, Romans 1:4, Luke 1:35-37, Genesis 1:1-2, Psalm 139:7-10, Isaiah 40:13-14, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, John 15:25, John 16:13, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, John 14:26, John 14:15-21, Romans 8:9, John 7:37-39, Ephesians 5:18-21, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11