APRIL 28, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

APRIL 28 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: COLOSSIANS 1:9-18

Have you ever wondered why you, me and everything exists? The answer is found in Paul's writings to the Colossian church, "...all things were created by Him and for Him." This verse is talking about Jesus. It really is all about Him. It's not about you and it's not about me, it's not about the planet, it's not about the universe, it's not about the angels and it's not about the demons. It's about Jesus! Everything exists because He created it and everything that is created exists for Him. So often we humans think that we are the center of the universe that we are the all-important ones, but it is Jesus and Jesus alone that is the center of all things. We find our importance, our very identity, in Him.

Both the church and the world have great difficulty with accepting that it is Jesus only. In church there is this sometimes subtle and at other times blatant teaching that Jesus is not quite enough. So the religious-minded teach that it is Jesus plus something else that makes us right with God. Jesus plus good works...Jesus plus church membership... Jesus plus baptism...Jesus plus tithing...Jesus plus faithfully keeping the religious practices of a particular religion. The truth is, it is Jesus and Jesus only! There is a reason the world is and always has been vehemently opposed to biblical Christianity. It is because it is a call to only Jesus. The world would have no trouble with Jesus if they could just make Him a part of the myriad of other things they believe in. But the Scripture demands that it is Jesus to the exclusion of all other things. Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6). The eternal truth is in all things for all people it is Jesus only, for we were created by Him and for Him. Jesus plus anything else is not biblical Christianity.

Please share your thoughts.