24 Aug September 2 Daily Devotional

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

ONE IN CHRIST

Colossians 3:11 “. . . there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

Cars come from all directions.  Some have come quite a distance, others a mere block or two.  Some are new and shiny others are older and showing a bit of age.  As the cars park and the people exit some are tall, others short.  Some are dressed in shirt and tie or their best dress while others come in jeans, and a few wear shorts.  They all enter from their cars, through the parking lot along the sidewalk through the doors of the church.

No one entering the church door needs a ticket or pass.  All are welcome.  There is a buzz of conversation, and an excitement when someone new enters.  Some check in at the information desk, others move on to their bench, still others station themselves at entrances to welcome folks entering the church, assisting new comers find their way. One moves forward to light the candles and another to help hand out bulletins.

Coming from all parts of the community, some native and others newly arrived, there is a miracle that occurs when the people coming to church enter into it.  Once inside it makes no difference who they are, where they work, if they are retired or just tired.  Once inside they are simply there because Jesus Christ is in each one of them.”  The Bible says they are all one in Christ Jesus.  (Galatians 3:28)

In a world where there is much bias, discrimination, and social status, inside the church doors, sitting on the benches in the worship center, all present in the church lose all the world’s titles, the pecking order disappears because they are there at the invitation of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to receive from Him rest, peace, forgiveness, and hope.  Inside the church “. . . there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

Prayer:  Bless my church that it is a place of welcome for all to be bonded by the Holy Spirit to Jesus.  In His name.  Amen.

Jesus calls us; o’er the tumult Of our life’s wild, restless sea,

Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, Saying, “Christian, follow Me.”

Jesus calls us from the worship, Of the vain world’s golden store,

From each idol that would keep us, Saying, “Christian, love Me more.”

In our joys and in our sorrows, Days of toil and hours of ease,

Still He calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love Me more than these.”

Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, Savior, make us hear Thy call;

Give our hearts to Thine obedience, Serve and love Thee best of all.

(TLH 270)