August 30 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 30 Daily Devotional

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

YOU ARE FREED BY JESUS FROM SLAVERY TO SIN

Colossians 3:5 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

“Without justification there can be no sanctification.”  (Deterding, Commentary on Colossians)  “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” ( 1 Corinthians 6:11) Because of Jesus’ death on the cross in payment for your sins, God declares you not guilty of your sins.  “Though they (your sins) be as scarlet He has made you whiter than snow.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Therefore, being Justified by God, St. Paul writes here in Colossians 3:5, “Put to death . . .”  Put to death the sins that keep trying to come back into your life, control you and lead you away from God back into the grasp of Satan.  The only way for you to do this is through Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.  He has given you your baptism and through its power and the power of the Gospel to live a new life freed from the grasp of sin and Satan.  (Romans 6:2-4)  “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)

St. Paul states in Romans 6:6-7, “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”  “Knowing this,” as Paul says in Romans 6:6, your old sinful nature was crucified with Him in order that the body possessed by sin might be rendered inoperative, that henceforth you do not habitually yield as a slave to sin.” (Wuest word studies)

Paul’s exhortation here in Colossians 3:5 is not merely to encourage your moral improvement and self-help.  You, on your own, cannot accomplish this.  For these sins mentioned by Paul to be put out of your life requires your connection with Jesus Christ.  He overcame their power for you!  He defeated them completely in your behalf!  On your own you are incapable of overcoming them.  Your victory is through Jesus!

Prayer:  Prevent me Jesus from becoming a slave to sin setting me free through Your shed blood.  In Your holy name.  Amen.

Hail, Thou once despised Jesus! Hail, Thou Galilean King!

Thou didst suffer to release us; Thou didst free salvation bring.

Hail, Thou universal Savior, Bearer of our sin and shame!

By thy merit we find favor: Life is given through Thy name.

Paschal Lamb, by God appointed, All our sins on Thee were laid;

By almighty love anointed, Thou hast full atonement made.

All Thy people are forgiven Through the virtue of Thy blood;

Opened is the gate of heaven, Reconciled are we with God.

Jesus, hail! Enthroned in glory, There forever to abide;

All the heav’nly hosts adore Thee, Seated at Thy Father’s side.

There for sinners Thou art pleading; There Thou dost our place prepare,

Ever for us interceding Till in glory we appear.

Worship, honor, pow’r, and blessing Thou art worthy to receive;

Highest praises, without ceasing, Right it is for us to give.

Help, ye bright angelic spirits, All your noblest anthems raise;

Help to sing our Savior’s merits, Help to chant Immanuel’s praise!

(LSB 531)