Day 31 Lent Devotion

 

“You were dead because of your sins

and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away.

Then God made you alive with Christ,

for he forgave all our sins.

He canceled the record of the charges against us

and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

In this way,

he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities.

He shamed them publicly

by his victory over them on the cross..”

Colossians 2:13-15

Jesus paid it all.

We have done nothing to earn forgiveness

and eternal life with Him. He did it all.

“Don’t let anyone condemn you

by insisting on pious self-denial

or the worship of angels,

saying they have had visions about these things.”

Colossians 2:18

Many Christians have never heard of “Lent.”

If you grew up Catholic or Lutheran,

you know it is the 40 days leading to the cross.

Many give up things for Lent

as a reminder to consider and meditate on Christ’s sacrifice for us.

However, it should never be confused

as something you have to do

because it pleases God.

God is pleased with a humble heart,

a repentant spirit

and nothing you do

as a sacrifice will make any difference

in His love and forgiveness towards you.

“You have died with Christ,

and he has set you free

from the spiritual powers of this world.

So why do you keep on following

the rules of the world, such as,

“Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”?

Such rules are mere human teachings

about things that deteriorate as we use them.

These rules may seem wise

because they require strong devotion,

pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline.

But they provide no help

in conquering a person’s evil desires.”

Colossians 2:20-23

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

they will be as white as snow;

though they are as red as crimson,

they will become like wool.”

Isaiah 1:18

We have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ

and what He has done for us.

“So if the Son sets you free,

you will be free indeed. “

John8:36

We are holy in God’s eyes

because of the blood sacrifice of Christ

on the cross.

Nothing we have done

can separate us from His love

as long as we are His.

“For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

Hebrews 8:12