Colossians 1:11-14
You are being strengthened with all power because of his glorious might working in you. Then you will have complete endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. The Father rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for qualifying us to be in your kingdom; it is all because of you. Because you have strengthened us and worked faith in us to believe in knowing you and trusting the forgiveness you have given us, our faith all goes back to you. Paul reminds us, it was you who qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints. We were dead in our sins and could do nothing toward removing our sins, but you sent Jesus to live that perfect life you required, and his holy life is credited to us. He then suffered the punishment of all our sins, all the guilt we feel for what we have done he has removed. Through the forgiveness of our sins, you have transferred us to the kingdom of light. You rescued us from the darkness of sin we were living in, moving us into the kingdom of light; our sins are no more. Jesus’ blood and righteousness removed them. He has redeemed us from the clutches of hell. All this we get from the forgiveness of our sins; they no longer separate us from you. Out of love for what you have done, let us follow your example. Thank you for your plan of salvation. Strengthen us to not hold on in pride what others have done to us but to forgive. Why should we hold someone else’s sins against them when Jesus has already forgiven our sins and them? Please strengthen our faith, so we can overcome our pride to forgive like Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Roger Emmons
Think about what your redemption and forgiveness mean; it brings you: life, eternal rest, and salvation. Now, that is something to focus on and celebrate about.