September 3 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

How important to you are the doctrines of the Word of God? Do they have any bearing on your life? Frequently, either consciously or subconsciously, a separation is made between doctrine and life. What we believe and what we do become two different things and so we lead a double life. During the week we feel at home in this world; it’s the place where we live and work. On Sunday we enter the “other” world. This is when we talk about God, the Bible and have conversations about the church. If you study Church History you will see how the church has always struggled to ensure that the doctrines of Scripture form the basis and foundation of all Christian conduct. We need to have it clear in our minds what the Bible teaches on various points. It will make all the difference as to how we live each day and moment of our life.

There were a number of false teachers who attacked the church at Colossae precisely on this point. They accused the church and its minister, Epaphras, of a far too “down- to-earth” approach to the gospel of Christ. They suggested that to know God and to know Christ you must shun this world and follow rigorous regulations and doctrines. You had to avoid contact with society wherever possible so that you could absorb yourself in matters pertaining to the spiritual realm.

This is why the apostle Paul deemed it necessary to write to the Colossians concerning Christ's significance for all of life. There is only one world and that belongs to God. The Lord calls you and me to take what we believe and to put it into practice where we live and work, where we play and have fun! No area of our life should be separated from what the Scriptures teach or from the knowledge that all things are in and through and for Jesus Christ.

As members of Christ’s church we are promised the blessing of salvation provided we continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel (23). Let’s make sure that we take a close look at what the Lord teaches in order that we may understand how we are to live a life of faith—reflecting the glory of Christ wherever we are and in everything we do.