Nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:8-14, See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

There’s a lot of talk about mortgages these days; it’s as if instead of receiving your monthly bill from the bank they send you the title to your house! Scripture tells us that “the wages of sin is death:” our debt has been cancelled completely. There are many deceptive philosophies in the world and even some about faith in Christ, and we must not be deceived. There is no promise of earthly wealth, perfect health, nor any assurance that all of our troubles in this life will be over. What we do have is His promise to fill us and seal us with His Holy Spirit. We who were dead in our own trespasses have been raised with Him! Our debt that we could never pay is cancelled, nailed to the cross!

Thank You for Your promise that even though we will have trouble in this life, You will be with us; thank You for filling us today to overflow with Your Holy Spirit to bring glory to Your name.

ESV Lectionary