24 Aug September 9 Daily Devotional

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

CHRISTOCENTRIC

Colossians 3:16 “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Simply stated, Christocentric means “Christ Centered.”  It means that all that occurs in the church and in your personal spiritual life centers around Jesus Christ.  Your faith is Christocentric because your very salvation depends upon Jesus alone as the gospel teaches, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)  Your redemption is in Him as you confess in the creed, “. . . He has purchased and won me, not with gold or silver but with His holy precious blood and innocent suffering and death that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. . .” (Small Catechism, explanation of the 2^nd Article of the Apostle’s Creed)

Jesus is the center, the core, the heart of the gospel which teaches that no one can   approach Yahweh except through Him.  (John 14:6)  Jesus taught, “If you know me then you know the Father who sent Me.” (John 14:7)  “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) John writes, “Whoever believes in the Son (Jesus) has eternal life. . .” (John 3:36)

Jesus is the heart, center, and core of your faith because “. . .He is able to guard until that Day (Judgment Day) what has been entrusted to (you) for [your salvation.]  (2 Timothy 1:12)  Jesus has promised, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them (you) out of My hand.” (John 10:28)

Jesus is the heart, center and core of your faith who now is enthroned at the right hand of your Heavenly Father ruling over heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:18)  As He is seated there, He pleads with His Father to forgive you your sins. (Romans 8:34) In 2 Timothy 4:18 St. Paul says, Jesus will  rescue you from all your sins and take you to His heavenly Kingdom.  You know this to be true because Jesus has promised to take you to be with Him. (John 14:3)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, keep Jesus always as the heart, center, and core of my life even unto eternal life with Him.  Amen.

Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure,

Through a world that would deceive us And to sin our spirits lure.

Onward in His footsteps treading, Pilgrims here, our home above,

Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father’s bidding

Faithful Lord, with me abide; I shall follow where You guide.

Let us suffer here with Jesus And with patience bear our cross.

Joy will follow all our sadness, Where He is, there is no loss.

Though today we sow no laughter, We shall reap celestial joy;

All discomforts that annoy Shall give way to mirth hereafter,

Jesus, here I share Your woe; Help me there Your joy to know.

Let us gladly die with Jesus, Since by death He conquered death,

He will free us from destruction, Give to us immortal breath.

Let us mortify all passion That would lead us into sin;

And the grave that shuts us in Shall but prove the gate to heaven.

Jesus, here with You I die.  There to live with You on high.

Let us also live with Jesus.  He has risen from the dead

That to life we may awaken. Jesus You are now our head.

We are Your own living members; Where You live, there we shall be

In Your presence constantly,  Living there with You forever.

Jesus, let me faithful be, Life eternal grant to me.

(LSB 685)