August 14 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 14 Daily Devotional

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

YOU ARE NO LONGER ALIENATED FROM GOD

Colossians 1:21-23 “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.”

There may be times when God seems far away or even unreachable.  In most instances this occurs when you are struggling with a sin.  Sin does this because your conscience reminds you that God hates the sins you commit.  As happened to Adam and Eve when you sin you have no desire to have God in your life, you hide from Him and try to cover up what you have done.

Colossians 1:21 reminds you that sin alienates you from God, breaks your good relationship with Him, and excludes you from His family.  You are literally hostile to Him.  Note, the verb in verse 21 is in the past tense.  Alienation from God describes what was true for you in the past but is no longer true today.  You are no longer excluded from His presence.  You are not longer estranged from Him.

Jesus, your priest presents you to God holy . . .without blemish. . .free from accusation.  This is not because of something you have done but because of what Christ did for you as you read in yesterday’s devotion.  His cross was the instrument He used to make peace between you and God.

This peace with God is yours solely because of His gift to you of faith in His Son.  Your faith takes hold of the forgiveness Jesus earned for you and makes it your own.  Your faith in Him creates your holiness, freedom from the accusation of a guilty conscience and fills your heart, mind, and soul with a peaceful relationship with your heavenly Father. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)

Prayer:  Jesus, daily bring me near to my Heavenly Father.  Amen.

Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand;

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.  Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light. Take my hand, precious Lord; lead me home.

When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near,

When my life is almost gone, Hear my cry7, hear my call;

Hold my hand lest I fall Take my hand, precious Lord; lead me home.

When the darkness appears And the night draws near

And the day is almost gone, At the river I stand;

Guide my feet, hold my hand, Take my hand, precious Lord; lead me home.

(LSB 739)