Read Colossians 1:24-2:12
Bob Hope quipped, “Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle.” Our culture tends to value youth and novelty over maturity and experience. When it comes to our spiritual lives, though, maturity is something to be prized. An element of our sanctification and identity should be our maturity
in Christ.
In Colossians 1:28 the apostle Paul describes part of his ministry as strengthening these believers “so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” The word mature is sometimes translated as “perfect.” Its closest meaning, however, is not our current notion of perfection, which implies a sense of being completely flawless. Rather, this word means a sense of fullness or completion, a theme that occurs again in Colossians 2:2.
Our sanctification and maturity in Christ affects our doctrine. Mature believers should resist “fine-sounding arguments” and “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition” (2:4, 8). Anything that puts the emphasis on human effort or tries to accommodate cultural preferences over the truth of the gospel is to be rejected. Only in Christ will we find treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:3).
And as we’ve seen before, every part of our spiritual maturity happens because of Christ. Review verses 6 through 12 and make a note of how often the phrase “in him” occurs. We are rooted in Him, we live our lives in Him, we are baptized in Him, our sin nature is removed in Him, we are raised in Him to new life. Jesus is the source, the strength, and the purpose for our lives.
No wonder we are to be “overflowing with thankfulness” (2:7). God calls us to maturity and enables us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
APPLY THE WORD
Thankfulness is evidence of our spiritual maturity as well as a way to grow more mature. Today is a good opportunity to overflow with thankfulness. How have you seen God work in your life? Has He answered your prayers? Has He met your needs? Thank Him! Use the words of Psalm 100 or compose your own poem of gratitude.
DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION 