Gratitude for God's Gift of Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation as God's Gift, Not Our Effort

The Gospel is a declaration of God's work for humanity, emphasizing that salvation is a gift of grace, not a result of human effort. This understanding shifts the focus from human actions to divine grace, highlighting that our salvation is entirely the work of God. It is a profound announcement of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ, offering salvation as a free gift. This truth should lead believers to live a life filled with gratitude and praise, recognizing that it is God who qualifies us to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light. [21:11]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: In what ways can you express gratitude today for the gift of salvation that you did not earn but received freely from God?

Day 2: Guarding the Gospel's Purity

False teachings often attempt to add human works to the Gospel, undermining the preeminence of Christ. The true Gospel emphasizes the complete and finished work of Christ, who alone is sufficient for our salvation. It is crucial to recognize and reject any teachings that dilute the Gospel by suggesting that human effort can contribute to salvation. By understanding the sufficiency of Christ's work, believers can stand firm in their faith and avoid being swayed by false doctrines. [05:44]

Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV): "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."

Reflection: Are there any teachings or beliefs you hold that might be adding to the Gospel? How can you ensure that your faith remains centered on Christ alone?

Day 3: God's Role in Our Salvation

Our salvation is entirely of God, who makes us fit to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light. This profound truth should lead us to thankfulness and worship, acknowledging that it is God who qualifies us for this inheritance. The realization that we are utterly incapable of saving ourselves should deepen our appreciation for God's grace and inspire a life of worship and gratitude. [23:40]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: How can you incorporate a practice of thankfulness into your daily routine to acknowledge God's role in your salvation?

Day 4: The Present and Future Reality of Our Inheritance

The inheritance of the saints in light is both a present reality and a future hope. It represents the kingdom of God, characterized by holiness, purity, and everlasting peace. This inheritance begins when we enter into the kingdom of God through faith in Christ and continues as a future hope of eternal life with Him. Understanding this dual aspect of our inheritance encourages believers to live in the light of God's kingdom now while anticipating its full realization in the future. [47:40]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: How does the reality of your inheritance in Christ influence the way you live today? What changes can you make to align more closely with this truth?

Day 5: Living a Life of Praise and Thanksgiving

True Christianity leads to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. It is not about following a set of moral codes but about entering into a relationship with God through Christ, who is the light of the world. This relationship transforms believers, leading them to live lives marked by gratitude and worship. By focusing on the relationship with Christ, believers can experience the fullness of life that God intends for them. [14:19]

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV): "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to cultivate a heart of praise and thanksgiving in your relationship with God?

Sermon Summary

In Paul's epistle to the Colossians, particularly in the first chapter and the 12th verse, we are reminded to give thanks to the Father who has made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. This verse serves as a pivotal transition from a general description of the Christian Gospel to a more detailed exposition. The Apostle Paul, who had not personally preached to the Colossians, felt compelled to write to them due to the emergence of false teachings that distorted the true Gospel. These false teachers were diluting the preeminence of Christ, reducing Him to merely one of many intermediaries between God and man, and adding human works to the Gospel of grace.

The essence of the Gospel is that our salvation is entirely the work of God. It is not a call for us to do something to earn our salvation, but rather an announcement of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. This salvation is a free gift, given by God's grace, and it is He who makes us fit to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light. The Gospel is not about human effort or morality but about God's action in history, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The true Christian response to this Gospel is one of thankfulness and gratitude. This thankfulness is not just a feeling but a recognition of the profound work God has done in Christ and in us. It is a response to the realization that we are utterly incapable of saving ourselves and that it is God who qualifies us to share in the inheritance of the saints. This inheritance is not just a future hope but a present reality that begins when we enter into the kingdom of God through faith in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. The Gospel is a proclamation of what God has done for us, not a call for us to earn our salvation. It is entirely the work of God, given to us as a free gift through His grace. This understanding should lead us to a life of gratitude and praise. [21:11]
2. False teachings often add human works to the Gospel, diluting the preeminence of Christ. The true Gospel emphasizes the complete and finished work of Christ, who alone is sufficient for our salvation. [05:44]
3. Our salvation is entirely of God, who makes us fit to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light. This is a profound truth that should lead us to thankfulness and worship. [23:40]
4. The inheritance of the saints in light is a present reality and a future hope. It is the kingdom of God, characterized by holiness, purity, and everlasting peace. [47:40]
5. True Christianity leads to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. It is not about following a set of moral codes but about entering into a relationship with God through Christ, who is the light of the world. [14:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Colossians 1:12
[01:04] - Context and Importance of the Verse
[03:26] - The Apostle's Motive for Writing
[05:18] - Counteracting False Teachings
[06:41] - The True Gospel and Its Completeness
[09:21] - The Urgency of Knowing the Gospel
[11:03] - Thankfulness as a Mark of True Christianity
[14:19] - The Gospel's Impact on Praise and Worship
[20:19] - Salvation as the Work of God
[23:40] - The Grace of God in Salvation
[30:09] - God's Plan Through History
[38:57] - The Role of Christ's Sacrifice
[47:40] - The Inheritance of the Saints in Light
[52:38] - The Eternal Hope of Christianity

Sermon Clips

The essence of the Gospel is that our salvation is entirely the work of God. It is not a call for us to do something to earn our salvation, but rather an announcement of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. This salvation is a free gift, given by God's grace. [00:21:11]

False teachings often add human works to the Gospel, diluting the preeminence of Christ. The true Gospel emphasizes the complete and finished work of Christ, who alone is sufficient for our salvation. [00:05:44]

Our salvation is entirely of God, who makes us fit to partake in the inheritance of the saints in light. This is a profound truth that should lead us to thankfulness and worship. [00:23:40]

The inheritance of the saints in light is a present reality and a future hope. It is the kingdom of God, characterized by holiness, purity, and everlasting peace. [00:47:40]

True Christianity leads to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. It is not about following a set of moral codes but about entering into a relationship with God through Christ, who is the light of the world. [00:14:19]

The Apostle Paul, who had not personally preached to the Colossians, felt compelled to write to them due to the emergence of false teachings that distorted the true Gospel. These false teachers were diluting the preeminence of Christ, reducing Him to merely one of many intermediaries between God and man. [00:03:26]

The Gospel is a proclamation of what God has done for us, not a call for us to earn our salvation. It is entirely the work of God, given to us as a free gift through His grace. This understanding should lead us to a life of gratitude and praise. [00:21:11]

The true Christian response to this Gospel is one of thankfulness and gratitude. This thankfulness is not just a feeling but a recognition of the profound work God has done in Christ and in us. [00:23:40]

The Gospel is not about human effort or morality but about God's action in history, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. [00:21:11]

The inheritance of the saints in light is not just a future hope but a present reality that begins when we enter into the kingdom of God through faith in Christ. [00:47:40]

The Apostle Paul writes to counteract false teachings and to show the fullness and completeness of the Gospel, emphasizing the preeminence of Christ. [00:05:44]

The Gospel is entirely the work of God, given to us as a free gift through His grace. This understanding should lead us to a life of gratitude and praise. [00:21:11]

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