August 20 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 20 Daily Devotional

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

IT BEARS REPEATING

Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

No matter what your age you can remember before you left home with the car, your mom or dad saying “now be careful.”  There are simply some things that are so important they need to be said over and over and over and over again.  This is at the top of the chapter on effective parenting.

St. Paul often took on the role of a “parent” with the congregations to whom he wrote.  As you read through his many letters in the New Testament you will find the same or similar warnings.  One of those is found here in Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy . . .”  He was concerned about the Colossians because there were false teachers in their town.  These false teachers were actively promoting their teachings rather than the pure and true gospel St. Paul had taught these people.  So, within a couple of verses St. Paul warned them not once, but twice.

It bears repeating!  Alice Sudlow, a professional writer, commenting on this idiom, wrote, “In our idiom “it bears repeating,” it’s a verb: “to bear” means “to be worthy of.” “It bears repeating,” then, means “it’s worth repeating.”  Bear can also mean to carry or support, and also to endure.”  This idiom is an excellent reminder to you, dear Christian friend, it bears repeating, it bears warning you repeatedly, to be alert to “ . . . hollow and deceptive philosophies, which depend on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

Christ alone is the one sent by Yahweh to take away the sins of the world. (John 3:16)  Faith in Christ alone is the only way to heaven.  (John 14:6)  God’s grace alone is the reason He sent His one and only Son to take away the sins of the world.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  This bears repeating!

Prayer:  Grant, O Lord, that I never become tired of hearing your warnings against false teachers proclaiming philosophies that would lead me away from Jesus who alone is my personal Savior.  In His name.  Amen.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I’ll overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my need
And now I seek no greater honor in just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone.

(Lyrics by Donald A. Koch and Andrew Shawn Craig.  Printed words used with permission under CCLI#1600874)