JULY 7, 2026 – PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS

READ: Col. 1:28–2:3: “… teaching in all wisdom … how great a conflict I have … knit together in love … full assurance …”

We do not attain perfection on earth. In our life the old sinful nature still remains active, so that with Paul we must say: “I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin … O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” But then let us also say with Paul: “I thank God—through Jesus Christ.”

There is deliverance from our sinful imperfection in Jesus Christ. With Him there is forgiveness, and He gives His Spirit with His Word to combat our sins and doubts. Through faith in Christ we may ultimately stand blameless before the Lord God.

Paul describes his proclamation of Christ, the source of all wisdom and the “hope of glory,” as admonition and instruction. In our postmodern age, where everyone may have his own opinion, this quickly sounds coercive. It arouses resistance when God’s Word is proclaimed as absolute truth. But over against that, God’s Word says that it contains absolute divine truth, and that we as believers must be holy and perfect as God is holy and perfect (Matt. 5:48; 1 Pet. 1:16).

That requires, alongside conversion, our whole commitment in the use of God’s Word with the continual petition for the Holy Spirit, who leads us into the truth (John 16:13). We may also know that the Lord every day pleads for us at the Father’s right hand to forgive our sins and imperfections.

Thus, what Paul holds before us is an assignment for our whole life. In this we are encouraged by our bond with Christ, the working of the Spirit, and the knowledge of God’s Word. Under God’s blessing our faith will grow, and we will increase in wisdom, in discernment to walk in the way of the Lord (cf. Phil. 1:9).

We share this assignment with the other members of the church, locally and in the federation of churches. Therefore, for comfort, instruction, and the acquiring of wisdom, we are to look after one another in love (v. 2).

How do you exert yourself for the church?
Singing: Ps. 119:42