24 Aug September 16 Daily Devotional

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

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS –  SLAVES (Part 2)

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

A golfer knows how important it is to keep their eye on the ball.  Lifting your eye too soon will cause you to “duff” your shot or worse yet miss the ball entirely.  The same concept is true in regard to what you do in your life.  In today’s devotional verses St. Paul exhorts slaves and also you to keep your eye on Jesus because, He says, you are “working for the Lord” and serving only Him.

Because it is the Lord you are serving in whatever you do, do it with “all your heart.”  As a Christian, St. Paul writes,” your goal is not on the paycheck you will receive, accolades received or honors bestowed.  God, through Christ, has promised you an eternal inheritance.  Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Yesterday’s devotional verse said as a Christian you should live your life  “. . . with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.” Today’s verses say “it is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  These two verses parallel what St. Paul wrote concerning his life, “For me to live is Christ. . .” (Philippians 1:21) When you live your life committing it in service to Jesus, it changes your focus.  Keeping your eye on Jesus changes your perspective.  Even when your earthly situation is difficult and those over you make life almost unbearable, Luther wrote in his hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is our God,” “ . . . take they our life, goods, fame, child, and wife, though these all be gone, Our vict’ry has been won . . . “

Prayer:  Bless me Holy Spirit to keep my eyes on Jesus who alone is the author and perfector of my life.  In His holy name.  Amen.

Lord, help us walk Your servant way Wherever love may lead

And bending low, forgetting self, Each serve the other’s need.

You came to earth O Christ, as Lord, But pow’r You laid aside,

You lived Your years in servanthood; In lowliness You died.

No golden scepter but a towel You place within the hands Of those who seek to follow You And live by Your commands.

You bid us bend our human pride Nor count ourselves above

The lowest place, the meanest task That waits the gift of love.

Lord, help us walk Your servant way Wherever love may lead

And, bending low, forgetting self, Each serve the other’s need.

(LSB 857)