7 September 2021
And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:6-15, NRSV
In today’s reading, Paul seeks to ensure that the church at Colossae fully understands what God has achieved for them through Jesus. Paul was aware of other influences on this new community such as that of the Jewish leaders who would have emphasised the need to observe some of their rites and rituals such as circumcision. Paul explains to these new members of the Church that they are already fully experiencing God’s power in their lives – that they have already been forgiven regardless of their past sins and raised to a new life. There is nothing else that they need to do in order to be fulfilled since by virtue of their baptism they have been both buried and raised in Christ to share his glory.
- What difference do you think Paul’s message may have had on this community ?
- What difference does it make to know that God not only forgives our sins but also erases any record of them?
Contemplate on the meaning of your Baptism in Christ.
