In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Colossians 2:11-15

Perspective. It’s one of the easiest things to lose. Circumstances often overshadow reality and make us myopic.

Our perspective is adjusted (corrected) when we focus on what Christ has already done for us. In these five verses, we are reminded of the following:

1. We were circumcised with Christ.
2. We were buried with Christ in baptism.
3. We were raised with Him through faith.
4. We were made alive.
5. We have been forgiven.
6. Our sins were nailed to the cross.
7. He disarmed Principalities and Powers.
8. He triumphed.

It’s easy to start thinking of God as our personal genie, available at a moment’s notice, whenever we say “In Jesus’ Name” as if it were the quintessential “Abracadabra” needed to make our command come to life.

Yes, prayer is an important part of the Christian life, but perspective is also important. This passage in Colossians does just that: give us perspective.

We were dead in our trespasses. We were without hope. We were not worthy of His favor, grace, or mercy. Now we are alive, forgiven, and victorious.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

I believe it is perspective that inspires thankfulness. Thankfulness turns into praise. Praise makes us willing to be obedient.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8

Questions for Further Thought:

• What is your impression of this passage?
• Can you recall a time when your perspective was off? How did that affect you?
• Further Study: I encourage you to look up the following verses from which the text is based.
  • Romans 4:9-11
  • Galatians 5:1-3
  • Romans 6:3-5
  • 1 Peter 1:20-21
  • 1 Corinthians 15:22
  • Ephesians 2:1
  • 1 Peter 3:18
  • Acts 26:17-18
  • Ephesians 1:7
  • 1 John 2:12
  • John 19:17-20
  • Philippians 2:8
  • Hebrews 12:1-3
  • Romans 8:37-39
  • Ephesians 6:12
  • James 2:13
  • 2 Corinthians 2:14