January 11, 2023

Colossians 2:6-15 (HCSB)
Therefore, as you have received  Christ Jesus the Lord,  walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him  and established in the faith, just as you were taught,  overflowing with gratitude. 8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition,  based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.  9 For the entire fullness  of God’s nature  dwells bodily  in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by Him, who is the head  over every ruler and authority. 11 You were also circumcised in Him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh,  in the circumcision of the Messiah.   12 Having been buried with Him  in baptism, you were also raised with Him  through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  13 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross.  15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He triumphed over them by Him.  

Mark Jenkins
This part of the letter warns the reader about false teachings and those who contend that the answer is Jesus + (plus)...to be clear, Jesus does not require anything more, He is more than enough. Like in my Day 1 notes, the answer to all questions really is Jesus. God has done a great miracle that our human minds do not easily comprehend in sending Jesus to live with His people, to build relationships and to leave a lasting legacy through His Word. Paul spends a good deal of time focusing on things such as circumcision and putting to rest the Old Testament version, as Christ wants a circumcision of the heart. Baptism is an excellent symbol of death, burial and resurrection. When I reflect on Baptism, it should be a time of great celebration, a time of joy, a time where we as Christians feel close to our Lord and Savior. Often I believe the realities of our lives, the pull of earthly things on us draw attention and focus away from what God wants us to see in the reality that the symbol of Baptism brings. Pray today that God can show you that He is all you need, all you should desire...that the ways of the world are Not His ways and often lead to destruction.