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Colossians 2:12

¹². . . having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Paul was trying to help the Colossians understand that all they needed was Jesus--Jesus plus nothing else. They didn't need to follow any kind of works or traditions or rituals. Since the fullness of God is in Him and believers are filled with Him, what more could be needed?

Some of the Jews were trying to convince the men to be circumcised. Paul was telling them that the important circumcision is that of the heart. Baptism into Christ is what changes our behavior. When our sinful nature is put to death with Jesus and is buried with Him, then we also rise with Him to new life by the powerful working of God. The old things we once loved we now deplore, and things we once avoided we now love. God's resurrection power has transformed us.

Now we can choose to yield to that power moment by moment every day. The old lusts lose their appeal. The expulsive power of a new affection causes us to shun the old pleasures. We just want to live to please the One who gave Himself for us.

Prayer: Lord, increase my love for You, and help me to yield to Your life residing in me.