“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing – as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth…” Colossians 1:3-6
We see here that Paul and his coworkers pray regularly for the Colossian Christians. And when they pray, they give thanks to God, who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The testimony of their strong faith has spread and it is bringing gratitude and rejoicing across the early church! Not only is their faith in Jesus profound, but this faith is spilling over into a love for the saints of God. These Christians love all God’s people who have been made holy. Their love is not only driven by their faith in Christ, but also by the hope they have in Christ. This is a hope that has been reserved for them in heaven – eternal life in God’s presence.
This prayer should stir us to give thanks for the brothers and sisters in our own lives. Look around for those whose profound faith, love, and hope can inspire and encourage you. Give thanks for them and then pray that this same faith, love, and hope would grow in your own heart.
As the prayer continues, there is a recognition that the hope of heaven is something these Colossian Christians know well. They have heard about the hope of heaven when the gospel was first preached to them. This good news is called the word of truth – the true message that Jesus is the Son of God who died to erase our sin and the Lord of all who rose from the dead to fill us with eternal life. This gospel truth transforms lives! In fact, when the gospel seed was planted in their hearts, it began to bear fruit. But it’s not just them. Across the whole world, when the gospel is proclaimed, and people hear it, understand it, and believe it – it bears fruit! Wrongs are forgiven. The chains of sin fall off. Freedom, peace, and hope are born. New life begins. Love for God and love for man come alive. This miraculous work comes by hearing and understanding the truth of God’s grace. God transforms lives by the free act of his grace.
This is the same gospel, the same word of truth, that has spread and increased across the world into our lives! Believe this good news. Receive the truth of Christ and let his saving work bear fruit in your heart. Proclaim this truth to your children, your neighbors, to the whole world. Praise God that for generations this gospel of Jesus Christ is bearing fruit and increasing across the whole world!
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