The Best of the Portals of Prayer

Read: Acts 15:13-29

“These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”
Colossians 2:17

Shadow and Substance

The Colossians considered themselves to be very religious, for they observed carefully the laws pertaining to meat, drink, and holy days. Paul reminds them that such things are shadows. The body is of Christ. In one of their books there is a chapter on religion. It has references to anthems, choirs, bells, bishops, deans, organs, and vestments. But one turns its pages in vain in the hope of finding some reference to the Word of God of the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Church music, the proper keeping of church festivals, and the correct form of a pastor’s robe is very important, but not needful for salvation. Far more important is to have the Word of God in it’s purity. Purity of Doctrine and teaching is vastly more important than all other things. “It is a fine thing to be able to read the church service beautifully, but it is infinitely better to read one’s name clearly in the mansions in the skies” [Isaac Watts].

Forbid, O Lord, that we shall put our trust in anything other than Your gracious promise of everlasting life, but make us ever mindful of Him who died for us: Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

July 05, 1949