We invite you, on the occasion of Lent 2022, on a 7 week-journey of biblical meditations until Easter to discover or rediscover the foundations of our ministry of spiritual care. This week we invite you to continue to look at Jesus who overcame all powers!
To understand the verse of the day, let’s look at the context of this word of Paul, and read what he tells us a few verses above:“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” Colossians 2:8.
Paul denounces this “nonsense” in the next chapter through a whole list of what is earthly and a life dominated by sin as: immorality, impurity, anger, wickedness, insults etc.
How many people make the effort to get rid of this life? How many are influenced by the rules and practices of this world? How many live in fear that prevents them from living a victorious life in Christ? How many feel accused and condemned by ’religious’ laws? But glory be to God who makes us free from these rules, fears, accusations, and other debts. Indeed:
- God makes us alive in Christ (Col 2:13b).
- He gives us a spiritual life (13a)
- He forgives all our faults (14)
- Christ paid for everything. We no longer have any debts (14)
- The Savior wiped out everything. We are set free. (14).
Whatever forces enslave us, they have been defeated by Christ. Those who are united with Him have nothing to fear. We can think of all the influences that cause people to act in a certain way that reflects evil, but let’s remember what Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we are not dealing with man, but with the authorities, the powers, the rulers of this dark world, the spirits of evil in the heavenly places.
The letter to the Colossians encourages us not to fall into slavery again, now that we have been set free. Through the cross Jesus defeated, disarmed and stripped Satan, the spirits of darkness, the dominions and the authorities, and publicly made a spectacle of them.
#letusacttogether
Let us join this triumphal procession in following the Risen One. Let us take care of our new life in Christ.
#letuspraytogetherHeavenly Father, “United with Christ by faith, we have the freedom to come before You with full confidence” (Ephesians 3:12) Free us from any grip that prevents us from living a victorious life. God, source of peace, in the name of Jesus give us the power to crush Satan under our feet when he tries to take away our peace and joy of living. Teach us to live under Your Grace by keeping our eyes on Jesus. "On the Mount of Calvary there was this Cross, where Jesus suffered so much pain, He died on that vile wood to save us. This cross will always be dear to us, it is glory and victory for us and through it in the house of the Father, the crown is offered to our faith.” Thank you for your love Lord Jesus Amen