Session 5

You have been made new

From Colossians: A 28-Day Devotional

What controls you? And before you say, "nothing," consider the ways we cede control every day.

Maybe you refuse to schedule anything on Saturdays so you can watch your college football team play. Or perhaps you’re the person who tells everyone to watch out if you don’t get at least two cups of coffee in the morning.

Only one person was ever meant to have control over our lives, and that’s Jesus. "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17).

Jesus has the whole world in His hands, and in His hands is the safest place to be. Take whatever is broken in your life, give it to Jesus, and He’ll restore it. Take whatever feels meaningless in this season, give it to Jesus, and watch Him fill it with purpose.

When we gave our lives to Jesus, the brokenness that separated us from God was removed. Our relationship was restored, and so were we. Jesus presents us to God as holy and blameless, without fault.

If that feels hard to believe, you’re not alone. The church in Colossae also needed this encouragement: "continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News" (Colossians 1:23, NLT).

Jesus doesn’t run out of grace for us. He knew everything we would ever do and still made a way to reconcile us with God. That’s good news.

Reflect:

• How honest are you with God about what controls you? Does honesty with God come easily? Why or why not?
• Is there any area where you’re struggling to feel holy and blameless? Take a few minutes right now to ask God to tell you how He sees you.