And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.
—Colossians 1:21 (KJV)
So many people reject God because of the things they do not want to give up to honor and obey him. They may couch it in an intellectual argument, but the real issue is that they do not want to surrender their will to God. That would mean giving up things they love that conflict with the character and will of God. Many evangelists know that intellectual arguments seldom win this kind of person to the truth. Instead, they must come to know Jesus and his sacrificial love for them before they admit that God's demand for holiness in them is because he is their ally, not their enemy. The evil one wants their destruction. Our Father in heaven wants their salvation.
Holy and almighty God, I praise you for your love and holiness. Thank you for demonstrating both by sending Jesus to save me. I regret the times I saw your desire for my holy behavior to be too demanding or harsh. I thank you for loving me enough to save me in Jesus and call me to a holy life under your protection and care. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—Colossians 1:21 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
So many people reject God because of the things they do not want to give up to honor and obey him. They may couch it in an intellectual argument, but the real issue is that they do not want to surrender their will to God. That would mean giving up things they love that conflict with the character and will of God. Many evangelists know that intellectual arguments seldom win this kind of person to the truth. Instead, they must come to know Jesus and his sacrificial love for them before they admit that God's demand for holiness in them is because he is their ally, not their enemy. The evil one wants their destruction. Our Father in heaven wants their salvation.
My Prayer...
Holy and almighty God, I praise you for your love and holiness. Thank you for demonstrating both by sending Jesus to save me. I regret the times I saw your desire for my holy behavior to be too demanding or harsh. I thank you for loving me enough to save me in Jesus and call me to a holy life under your protection and care. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
