Colossians 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Rules look good and can make us look good but they do not accomplish anything. Rules are more like a religion that you produce. You can mistreat your body and be hard on yourself but it will not stop the desires of the flesh.

Rules are about appearance. The Pharisees used rules as a fence around the law. That wasn’t what God said it was what man added to what God said. Many follow rules to make a good show but their hearts aren’t even in what they are doing.

You will not get victory by adding rules to your life. You will get victory when you realize that “Christ in you is the hope of glory!” Trust the Lord Jesus. Focus on Him and His victory. Just love Him and watch what the Holy Spirit will do in your life!

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Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

I love how this verse puts both sides of the equation into one verse. Paul labored but he did so according to the Holy Spirit’s mighty working in him. Spirit filled and Spirit led Christian living is by no means a call to complacency but to labor. But the labor is not according to your power but His.

Paul was an extremely hard worker but he didn’t work in the flesh. Nor should you work in the flesh. There should be a holy desire born in you to serve and love God. It is not something you should have to work up and keep worked up.

You love God and you seek Him. He will do the work in and through you. This will cause you to be greatly used and to be able to enjoy it at the same time. No guilt trips, no manipulation just loving Jesus.

In our Vision Bible reading plan we will be in Colossians for 4 days. I hope you can read it and think about it. It will help you in the messages that we have coming up. So tomorrow read Colossians 2 and so on. I am grateful for those of you that are taking the time to read together.

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