August 25 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 25 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

JESUS, JESUS, ONLY JESUS

Colossians 2:16-17 “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.  These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

You may remember reading a devotion based on Romans 14. St. Paul was concerned that in that congregation the people were under great temptation to focus upon food to eat and not eat, strict observance of special days, and a number of other acts of being very religious.  Again, here in Colossians he exhorts the members of this congregation to not become hung up on what to eat and drink, religious festivals to observe, etc.  What matters, he concludes in verse 17, is their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Piety is a word that describes the manner in which you practice your religious beliefs.  The simple making of the sign of the cross is an example of piety.  Some Christians make the sign of the cross every time the name of the Trinity is invoked during a prayer or when the invocation is spoken at the beginning of a worship service or the start of a sermon.  Paul’s point is as long as your piety, Your practice of your religious beliefs helps you to focus upon your faith and trust in Jesus it is a good thing.  If, on the other hand, what you do in your piety becomes the object, the focus, of greatest importance in your worship or faith life, then it is no longer beneficial.  In fact, it is a detriment because it takes your heart away from Jesus focusing it instead upon your acts of piety.

In God’s sight, whether hymn singing is accompanied by an organ, piano, guitar or a harp is not essential to your worship.  They are matters of choice and whatever choices are made should always be made with the goal in mind of helping you and all your fellow Christians to remain focused upon your Triune God through Jesus Christ.  It is with your heart you believe and with your mouth you confess that Jesus is Lord.  Your salvation is in Him alone.

Prayer:  Lord, keep my heart ever focused upon Jesus, not upon traditions and rituals. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness My beauty are, my glorious dress;

Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head.

Bold shall I sand in that great day, Cleansed and redeemed, no debt to pay;

Fully absolved through these I am From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

Lord, I believe Thy precious blood, Which at the mercy seat of God

Pleads for the captives’ liberty, Was also shed in love for me.

Lord, I believe, were sinners more Than sands upon the ocean short,

Thou hast for all a ransom paid, For all a full atonement made.

When from the dust of death I rise To claim my mansion in the skies,

This then shall be my only plea: Jesus hath lived and died for me.

Jesus, be endless praise to Thee, Whose boundless mercy hath for me,

For me, and all Thy hands have made, An everlasting ransom paid.

(LSB 563)