Devotional: Colossians 2:8-10

Reflection

• (Col 2:8 ESV) See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
• (Col 2:9 ESV) For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
• (Col 2:10 ESV) and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Discussion

Comprehending the Jesus is 100% fully God and at the same time 100% fully human like us is hard… maybe it is not quite possible for our minds to really understand how these two can be one unit while not at the same time.  Throw the Holy Spirit in there and the confusion is magnified.  Some of these concepts we can study and develop into a better understanding, but much of the time we also must exercise a measure of faith, trusting that the Word of God is true even when we cannot fully wrap our minds around it.

 

While that may seem like a cop-out, and probably is used as one from time to time, we are called to trust the Lord and seek His wisdom, not our own.  That is a major difference when we consider the Christian life.   We are called to be dedicated students of the Word and at the same time be fully trusting of the Author of those words.

 

So we trust Christ and His word alone regardless of what the world says or does.  If you have been called out in Christ and transferred from the dominion of darkness to the light of Christ, then you are called to walk in that light.  

Connection

Sunday looked at the deceit of Satan defeating humankind in the garden and being defeated by the Risen Savior.  How are these two events closely related?

 

What is a key difference between the temptation of Eve in the garden and the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness?

 

How can the empty deceit of Satan draw you away from the truth?

 

What tools do believers have to counter the lies of the world?

 

Expansion

The Son

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second member of the Trinity.  He is co-equal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit in all power, authority, and dominion in the universe.  He was co-creator and rules over all creation from heaven.  Jesus existed before the world began.  He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary.  Jesus lived a sinless life and is the only sacrifice for our sins, dying on the cross, and defeating death forever.  He rose from the grave to return to heaven where He sits today.  Because of His perfect sacrifice we have eternal life as heirs of God. He will return to restore His kingdom and judge all people according to the will of God.

Genesis 3:8, Genesis 16:7-13, Ephesians 1:15-23, Revelation, 22:16, Colossians 1:15-19, John 17:5, Matthew 1:23, Hebrews 1:3, John 14:9-10, Matthew 4:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:21-25, John 3:16-17, John 6:38, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:20-23, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 24:38-43, Matthew 28:9, Acts 10:41, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 1:2-3, Revelation 3:21, John 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Timothy 4:7-8