The text (as follows) set for reading and meditation, is taken from Paul’s letter to the Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV), and is packed with a whole lot of fantastic information, that gives us much to think about and take into our hearts, over the coming days:

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way.

Bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

As Selwyn says, in his conclusion: “The cross is the only way into God’s kingdom. When you kneel at the cross and surrender all that you have, then your feet will be firmly planted on the solid rock of the kingdom that will never be shaken.”

Just going over, one of the main points to be found in our text, for today: “God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

It is amazing to consider that it is God Himself – who rescues us, and restores the relationship with Himself, which was lost through sin, yet redeemed by Christ’s work on the cross.  Accepting God’s amazing grace, we follow Jesus in the Spirit’s power – to live a life worthy of our Lord.

Any comments?

I feel that this study – highlights a very important point: Jesus is now King – who reigns over all of creation.

God’s return on the last day, is not the announcement of His Kingdom’s beginning – it is when His judgement will be exercised on all the living and the dead.

Consequently, we can have faith – right now – that when we pray, our prayers are heard by our God, who is in full control of His creation. That is, our prayers are heard by Jesus, who can act – right now – according to His will; and, all the evil in this world cannot overcome the will of God.

Selwyn illustrates this point, in today’s study: “The writers of the epistles emphasise the fact that the kingship of Christ is not something to be established in the future, but something in the present they could enjoy. This truth is best brought out by the writer to the Hebrews, who says in our text for today: ‘But we see Jesus … now crowned with glory and honour.’

The early Christians were sustained and inspired in their strugggle against the evil forces and lies of their day, by the sure knowledge that Christ was on the throne – crowned, glorified and triumphant”

As Selwyn goes on to say; we too – must walk our Christian journey – with the assurance that Jesus reigns; and, at the same time He allows people and nations to pursue the full measure of their evil actions. Why – He allows such terrible things to happen is a mystery – yet we live, knowing that one day we will enjoy His eternal reign, in complete joy and peace.

Selwyn states in his conclusion: ‘God was in charge of events when His Son lay in the darkness of the grave, so He is in charge of events now. Reason may not believe it, but faith most surely does.’

At times, I can understand, that some people may think that Jesus is not in full control; and my prayer for them is that they seek the power of God’s Spirit to help them to believe that Jesus is now – King of kings, Lord of lords. So that they may live in the light of this truth, and to follow Jesus with the spiritual strength that this assurance will give them.

Your view?

[To follow Jesus – notes by Shayne McCusker, April 2012]