Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Opening Scripture

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1

Opening Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and mercy, your protection and provision, your comfort and healing. Help me to trust you in all things and orient my life toward you today. May my mind’s attention and heart’s affection be on you. Guide my choices and direct my decisions for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Colossians 2:6-7

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Reflection  

You no doubt recognize today’s passage as the text we pray over people when they join our church. The imagery here is very Psalm 1-ish.

Many years ago, at First Baptist Church in South Miami, Florida, I had a pastor, Dr. Robert McMillan, who used to say with a deep Scottish brogue, “When you see a ‘therefore’ in Scripture, always look to see what it’s there for.”

The “So then…” at the beginning of today’s text indicates that these verses express the logical and appropriate conclusion or response to what has already been said. Paul began his argument in this section at Colossians 1:15 with an exhortation about the supremacy of Christ.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:15-20).

Paul goes on to describe this “mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27).

Paul then tells the Colossian believers how hard he has been working and how fervently he has been ministering on their behalf. “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. I want you to know how much I am struggling for you…” (Colossians 1:28-2:1).

That is the argument which leads to Paul’s conclusion: “So then.” The appropriate response to all that has been shared is “just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.” By now, you know that “live your life” is the Greek word “peripateó” – it is how you choose to “walk” each day, the way you live your life and conduct yourself. We are “walking” and living each day “in Jesus.”

We are “rooted” in Him. Like a tree planted by a stream, our roots go down deep, and we draw life from the Lord Jesus. We are firmly established in our relationship with Him. We know who we are because our identity is in Him.

We are “built up” in Him. We are developing godly character and spiritual maturity. Under the Spirit’s control, we are being transformed from the inside out. Paul has just declared that his goal is to present everyone perfect (complete) in Christ.

We are “strengthened in the faith” through our daily devotions, prayer, meditation, corporate worship, ministry and service to others, devotion to the Lord, and knowledge of Truth.

We have an attitude of gratitude, “overflowing with thankfulness.” A positive, grateful outlook expresses faith and honors God. If it wasn’t important, Paul wouldn’t keep telling everyone to “Rejoice!”

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

Paul follows up today’s passage with the warning, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8).

That is why it is so important to be “strengthened in the faith as you were taught.” Paul knew that there were many false teachers around who would attempt to undermine the truth of the gospel he proclaimed. Clever-sounding “influencers” who appeal to the base nature have a way of captivating the unsuspecting and uncommitted, then and now.

From legalist Judaizers to licentious Gnostics – and a plethora of hedonistic cults – false religions abounded in Paul’s day to lead the followers of Jesus astray. We certainly have no shortage of godless ideologies, false religions, and immoral beliefs for people to embrace today. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

We need to take seriously our responsibility to know and proclaim the truth of the gospel. Popular culture has always embraced false religion. What Paul declared in Romans 1 is just as applicable today.

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged to truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.”

They say the best way to spot a counterfeit is to know the real thing.

Commit yourself again today to knowing God personally!

This week’s collective prayer: Lord, I come before You on behalf of my fellow believers here at our church. Make Yourself known to them and draw them to Yourself. Amen.

You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed, but you can’t do more than pray until you’ve prayed!