Colossians 2:8–10

"Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority."

 

There are a lot of philosophies and beliefs these days, vying for our adoption of them. But all our wisdom is to come from Christ and our union with and knowledge of him. Let nothing sway you from a radical trust and dependence on Christ alone for all things. Anything less is idolatry, and God has no patience with that. Jesus alone is to rule in your life—so that you may be fully connected to him who is Truth.

Jeremiah 3:22–4:2

"'My wayward children,' says the LORD,
     'come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.'
'Yes, we're coming,' the people reply,
     'for you are the LORD our God.
Our worship of idols on the hills
     and our religious orgies on the mountains
     are a delusion.
Only in the LORD our God
     will Israel ever find salvation.
From childhood we have watched
     as everything our ancestors worked for—
their flocks and herds, their sons and daughters—
     was squandered on a delusion.
Let us now lie down in shame
     and cover ourselves with dishonor,
for we and our ancestors have sinned
     against the LORD our God.
From our childhood to this day
     we have never obeyed him.'
'O Israel,' says the LORD,
     'if you wanted to return to me, you could.
You could throw away your detestable idols
     and stray away no more.
Then when you swear by my name, saying,
     "As surely as the LORD lives,"
you could do so
     with truth, justice, and righteousness.
Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world,
     and all people would come and praise my name.'"

 

Here is yet another picture of how God feels and what he wants. He wants his wayward children to return to him so he can bless and heal them and save them from the consequences of their sin. True repentance is outlined here: an acknowledgment of sin and trust in God alone. This will result in a character change, so that truth, justice, and righteousness become apparent. It all starts with repentance. What sin might lurk in your life that needs to be confessed as an affront to the God of love?

Colossians 1:8–10

"He [Epaphras] has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better."

 

There is a wonderful prayer here, tucked in among words that show the goal: lives pleasing to God, love for others, and knowing God better each day. The prayer? For complete knowledge of what God wants to do in our lives, and spiritual wisdom and understanding. What a good prayer to pray for your spouse, children, church leaders, and anyone you care about! You can know it will be answered, because it's a prayer God's word teaches us to pray.