Colossians 1:15-28 (NRSV)
Read Colossians 1:15-28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; Verse 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-all things have been created through him and for him. Verse 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Verse 18He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. Verse 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, Verse 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. Verse 21And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, Verse 22he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him- Verse 23provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. Verse 24I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. Verse 25I became its servant according to God's commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, Verse 26the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. Verse 27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Verse 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Devotion
In this great passage we read, "Christ made peace..." As you look around the world, don't you see a lot that is not at peace? Peace is a common theme in the message of Jesus and a common struggle in our world today.
Who do you know that is "far away from God?" Are they longing for peace? A peace that only Christ can give? It seems that if we know and believe fully that Christ makes peace, and we know those who are longing for peace, then we should be doing all we can to share this good news of Jesus. How are you being called to share Christ's peace today?
Prayer
God of Peace, in our worry, our stress, our struggles and all that life throws at us today, we seek peace in Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.