John Carter – March 29, 2018
Download PDF 2018 Passion Week Devotions – Colossians
8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (ESV)
Every person in this world has been equipped with the ability to think and reason. However, some are better equipped than others. Since we live in a dominion of darkness (Col. 1:13) many are blinded by bad thinking while others are unable to see the bad thinking for what it is. This is why we must fight bad thinking with the truth. Philosophy, deceit, human tradition, elemental spirits are all opposed to Christ. What this world lacks is the clarity of who Christ is. He is the visible reality of the fullness of deity. And he is the very person who fills us to know him and to obey him. When you study philosophy and worldly thinking you study in the dark. When you study Jesus, you study God. You study the head of all. You study perfect rule and authority.
The way to fight bad thinking is with good thinking. The way to fight empty deceit is with the fullness of Christ. How has Christ filled you? How does this filling help you avoid being misled by the world? What are some specific ways you will obey the rule and authority of Christ today?
Holy Father,
You gave us the ability to think and reason, but we have corrupted that gift. Will you forgive me for not using my mind well? Jesus, you are the final authority in all things. Thank you for filling me. Will you forgive me for not obeying you? Teach me how to enjoy obeying you. Amen.
Why This Devotion?
How much effort do we put into celebrating Christmas? We invest time, money, conversations, and even family gatherings. And this is all on top of attending times of worship with other Christians. But if we are careful to study the Bible we see that the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, means very little unless he died on the cross and rose from the dead. This is because without the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus we would all still be dead in our sins. That is why this one-week devotion was created for the week before the death and resurrection of Jesus; Passion Week.
As you work through these devotions take time to read each passage from Colossians, the short devotional comments, and then authentically pray the prayers. After you finish each devotion let the rest of your day be filled with deep meditation on the truth of who Jesus is and why he came.
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