Marie’s daily verse: For He is our God, 

And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.

DAILY DEVOTION, July 18, 2024

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12).

Paul draws our attention to Epaphras, a devoted servant of Jesus Christ. Epaphras tirelessly prays for the Colossians, fervently desiring that they may stand perfect in God’s will. This underscores the significant role of prayer and intercession in our spiritual journey. While we acknowledge there is no perfect church or Christian due to our human sin and imperfections, it prompts us to ponder what a perfect church would resemble.

In a perfect church, Christ would be revered as the head, and His will would be the primary concern of each member. This highlights the importance of individual commitment to God’s will, fostering personal responsibility and active participation. The chief goal of every member would be submission to the Holy Spirit. The Bible would stand as the ultimate authority for each individual and for the church.

In a perfect church, every member would be born again and strive to live faithfully. When sin does arise, there would be immediate confession and repentance, fostering a culture of humility and accountability. Each member would feel loved and cared for by the entire church, promoting a sense of belonging and unity. When personalities clash, those involved are quick to forgive, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and harmony. Being in harmony with one another is more important than being right.

There would be a burden for those who know not the Savior with a zealous missionary outreach both at home and abroad.

Other thoughts run through my mind as I imagine the perfect church, but let this suffice. No, we will never achieve total perfection in this life. No ideal church exists, but what kind should we strive to be? Shall we be content with mediocrity or seek to be the best we can be? While we will never achieve complete perfection, should not that be our goal?

Father, I want to be a church member who strives for perfection. I want to use my gifts and talents to further Your Kingdom. Yes, I will fall short of perfection, but I do not want to be content with mediocrity. As I walk by faith, I know that You will walk with me and use me to help build Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.