August 27 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 27 Daily Devotional

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

YOU HAVE DIED WITH CHRIST

Colossians 2:20-23 “Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”

Have you noticed these daily devotions focus upon Jesus Christ?  Today’s is no different.  “Since you died with Christ. . .,” St. Paul writes, calling you to remember your baptism.  Yes, once again St. Paul focuses your thoughts and attention upon your baptism, the work done by the Holy Spirit through it, and the blessings you receive as a result of it.

Since you have been baptized you are no longer slaves to elemental spiritual forces of this world.  In the case of the Colossians this references “angels.”  The false teachers were telling them they needed to worship angels.  In your case it is whatever current gods the world is urging you to believe in and follow.  You may think you are immune from such teachings, but there are so many who once worshipped the triune God who no longer do. Now they worship a false god or no god at all.

Religions of rules, regulations, must’s and must nots, are false religions.  St. Paul says, they “are based on human commands and teachings” not on the Word of God.  They promote “being religious,” but not believing on the Lord Jesus Christ through whom alone you receive salvation, God’s forgiveness of all your sins and gift of everlasting life.

These false religions can have the appearance of genuineness.  However, St. Paul says, they lack any value.  You have been buried with Christ in your baptism and daily you are raised with Him through this same means.  Your old sinful nature has been drowned and has died.  You have been given a new life in your faith connection to Christ.  This is God’s only plan for your salvation.

Prayer:  Protect me Lord from false teaches and the ways of the world that I not be deceived by them.  Send Your Holy Spirit into my heart to work through my baptism every day to renew me in my faith and trust in Jesus through whom alone I have salvation.  In His name.  Amen.

One thing’s needful, Lord, this treasure Teach me highly to regard.

All else, though it first give pleasure, Is a yoke that presses hard!

Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving.

No true, lasting happiness ever deriving.  This one thing is needful;

All others are vain— I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain!

Wisdom’s highest, noblest treasure, Jesus, is revealed in You.

Let me find in You my pleasure, And my wayward will subdue,

Humility there and simplicity reigning,

In paths of true wisdom my steps ever training.

If I learn from Jesus this knowledge divine,

The blessing of heavenly wisdom is mine.

Nothing have I, Christ, to offer.  You alone, my highest good.

Nothing have I, Lord, to proffer But Your crimson colored blood.

Your death on the cross has death wholly defeated

And thereby my righteousness fully completed;

Salvation’s white raiments I there did obtain.

And in them in glory with You I shall reign.

Therefore You alone, my Savior, Shall be all in all to me;

Search my heart and my behavior, Root out all hypocrisy.

Through all my life’s pilgrimage, guard and uphold me,

In loving forgiveness, O Jesus, enfold me.

This one thing is needful; all others are vain—

I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain.

(LSB 536)