The Path to Second
The Path of Ritual

Scripture Reading:  Colossians 2:6-12

Key Verse:  Colossians 2:11

In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ

When God called Abraham to become a people unto Himself, a ritual was put in place to speak of that calling: circumcision.  God used many rituals to help His people visualize and remember significant spiritual events.  Baptism was created to be an icon of the inner spiritual work that God had already done by faith in Jesus Christ.  Another ritual God created was communion.  This ritual, according to Jesus, was to bring to our minds the pain and suffering Jesus endured for us when He died for our sins.

            God never intended for His children to start putting their faith in the rituals.  Rituals were created to point to the real work that God had or was doing in people’s lives.  Unfortunately, too many have turned to rituals as their path to salvation.  A good example of this is those who believe the ritual of baptism brings salvation to a soul.  Some faiths push infant baptism, believing it saves their soul in eternity.

            The Bible makes it very clear that no ritual will save anybody.  It is faith in Jesus Christ and His work accomplished on the cross that brings salvation.  Rituals only remind us of that event.  When we participate in the Christian rituals, they should bless us but only because they remind us of a significant spiritual work of God.

Father, thank you for doing a divine work in me.  I praise you for accomplishing spiritual victory that could not be done except by you!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.