"SIMPLY JESUS" DAILY DEVOTIONAL - DEAD WITH CHRIST - Friday, October 17, 2014

"SIMPLY JESUS" DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DEAD WITH CHRIST
Friday, October 17, 2014
 

COLOSSIANS 2:20

²⁰Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances.

The Apostle was zealous and jealous.  He was zealous to win men to Christ. He was jealous to keep Christians centered in Christ.

We have read how that Paul urged the Colossians:  Do not be deceived by slick talkers. (Colossians 2:4)  Do not be defrauded by philosophical chicanery.  (Colossians 2:8).

Today we read him warning: Do not be detoured from Christ by the rites and ceremonies and traditions that you once so diligently followed.

The ordinances of the Old Testament were never the means of salvation. They were meant to point toward Him who is our salvation--the Savior of all mankind.  The ceremonial laws of sacrifice and sanctity of the Torah were "types" and "shadows" that pointed to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  As we look back by faith to Christ, they looked forward in faith to Christ.

We know the temptation to rely upon forms rather than substance.  Just like those Jews who felt self-assured because they observed the rite of Passover, we have known those who have been spiritually confident because they took Holy Communion (the New Testament Passover). 

Just like those Jews who asserted their spiritual security because they had observed the rite of circumcision, we are familiar with men who are convinced that they cannot be lost because they have been baptized, or made a public confession of Christ, or even joined the Church. 

We have even met some modern day "Rich Young Rulers" (See Matthew 19:16-26) who claim to have kept the moral law--Thou shalt not kill, commit adultery, steal or lie--from their youth.  Yet Jesus told this apparently law- abiding man he was lacking "one thing."

This is not to say that forms are worthless.  This is not to say that the moral law is no longer required.  Remember Jesus said, "Ye have heard it said, thou shalt not kill, but I say unto you whoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment." (Matthew 5:21,22).  This is to say that the forms were never intended to save us, nor can they save us.

Paul explained it this way to the Galatians.  "The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."  (Galatians 3:24). 

As the Law of God reveals not only the WILL OF GOD FOR ME but the SELF WILL that is IN ME, I am drawn to this conclusion:  I need a Savior! I cannot save myself.

Paul testified to the Romans that when he realized just how powerless he was he cried, "Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of the death."  And then the answer came!  "I THANK GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!"  (Romans 7:24,25)

So that when I die with Christ, I am dead to the opinions of men, dead to the philosophies of men, dead to the rigors of ritual, and dead to any notion that I can earn or deserve salvation. 

When I die with Him, then I am raised like Him, and for the first time in my existence I am Alive Unto God!  (Romans 6:11).

You know who I need?  You know who you need? SIMPLY JESUS!

HEAR THE RUNDELL FAMILY SINGERS THIS WEEKEND AT FCC!