Daily Devotion: Complete in Christ Week Eight, Day Two

Reading: Colossians 2:8; John 8:34; Galatians 5:1

Devotion

Paul's warning becomes even more serious when he says, “Be careful that no one takes you captive.”False teaching isn't simply an intellectual disagreement. It can become spiritual bondage. Paul uses powerful language to describe what false teachers want to do. They want to plunder and carry away what belongs to Christ.

Think about what Christ has given you. Through Him, you have forgiveness. You have reconciliation with God. You have hope. You have freedom from the slavery of sin. You have the promise of eternal life. Paul doesn't want the Colossians to allow anyone to lead them away from the treasure they have received in Christ.

That's why Galatians 5:1 says:

“For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

The gospel doesn't need to be improved. Jesus doesn't need to be supplemented.

Christ is enough. Whenever someone tells you that you need Jesus plus something else to be saved, made complete, or accepted by God, you need to be on guard.

Reflection

• Am I tempted to add something to Christ as the basis of my salvation?

• Do I truly believe that Christ has set me free?

• What teachings or ideas might be pulling my attention away from the sufficiency of Christ?

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for setting me free. Help me recognize anything that would pull me away from You or add something to the gospel You have given me. Help me stand firm in the freedom I have through Christ. Amen.