The Saving One

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

Before you begin today’s devotion, ask God to help you understand more about who Jesus is and what He did for you on the cross.

People stood as enemies against God because of their sinful actions. Jesus’ death provided a way for all people to become friends of God through trusting Him as Savior.

“Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions. But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him.” —Colossians 1:21-22

Now, read Ephesians 2:12-13 and Colossians 1:21-23 in your Bible. Consider the following:
• In your journal, list characteristics of people’s lives before and after reconciliation.
• Explain in your own words what Paul meant by “you who were far away” (Eph. 2:13).

Our sin separated us from God and the only way to be free from sin was through the blood of Jesus sacrificed for us. Those who don’t accept His gift of grace will spend eternity paying for their sins by being separated from God.
• What did it take for you to be presented to God “holy, faultless, and blameless” (Col. 1:22)?

RESPOND

Redemption is at the heart of what Jesus did for us. At the moment you trusted Him as Savior, you became a friend of God and all of your sin was completely forgiven.
• Do you ever struggle to believe you’re completely forgiven? In your journal, write out Colossians 1:22 and replace you with me. Read it aloud several times and ask God to help you believe the truth of His words.
• For further study on what God did for us through Jesus, read Colossians 1:13.

BEHIND THE STORY

Paul’s ministry focused first on the Jews, then on the Gentiles (Rom. 1:16). The Jews were God’s covenant people. Paul mentioned the plight of the Gentiles previous to Jesus’ death on the cross—they were not a part of God’s covenant people. However, the blood of Christ allowed Gentiles access to the blessings afforded by the new covenant: salvation and relationship with God.

THE POINT

We had no hope of being reconciled to God on our own. Jesus paid the price for our sins and provided us access to a true relationship with God.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from EC magazine. @ 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, Weekly Devotions