Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday's Passage: Colossians 1:1-8
I really enjoyed reading through 1 John with you all. Looking forward to the next few weeks as we read through Colossians. Paul writes to the Church in the city of Colosse. He's never visited them but has heard from Epaphras concerning them. He writes to encourage them. He focuses on the truth of the gospel (1:9-2:7), the false teachings of the time (2:8-23), and the Christian life (3:1-4:6). For more historical background on Colossians check out: http://bible.org/seriespage/background-colossians or http://ibs.beeworld.org/language/en/curriculum/courses/colossians/articles/a_historicalbackground.htm .
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Two thoughts today: Give Grace & Remember Grace
ReplyDeletePaul always has a great greeting: "Grace and Peace to You from God." How cool to remember and offer grace and peace to one another. May we always be willing to offer our love and favor to all we meet, even though none of us deserve it.
Paul gives thanks to God because God has given faith, hope, and love to those at Colosse. Paul doesn't take what God has done for granted. It's easy for believers to get numb to how good God's grace, hope, and love is. When we forget the beauty of the gospel we stop sharing it. Let us think on the gospel so we can "truly comprehend the grace of God" and start "bearing fruit and growing in the world."
faith hope and love ... I'm trying not to sing some old school Point of Grace right now.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts... "all over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing..." I want it to bear more fruit in me and in Petal and around the world. That's what I want. I want to be involved in fruitful living for the sake of Christ. I don't have any fanciful expectations about what that would become - some romantic Christian bliss. I see it as a very honest, normal, sometimes suffering, sometimes rejoing pattern and I want it. I just don't want to wind up as unfruitful but comfortable. Yikes. Scary isn't it. Lord, please help me recognize Your voice and submit to the power of Your gospel and Your Spirit. Bear fruut for your kingdom through me, please.
Ben
I like how Paul states here (and in other letters) that they thank God for their fellow believers. This is something that I sure don't do enough. In seeking to be the Body of Believers that God wants us to be we should encourage one another and thank God for what He is doing thru our brothers and sisters. The early church truly appreciated one another, we should do the same.
ReplyDeleteI truly appreciate each of you reading this. I thank God for what He is doing in your life and for How you are allowing Him to produce fruit in your life. I pray that the peace and grace of our beautiful Jesus would be evident in your life. I love all of you.
Josh
Paul did not know these people, yet he writes he has heard of their FAITH in Christ Jesus, LOVE for all of God's people, and HOPE of heaven. Many of us today are quick to display our FAITH as in being bold in announcing we are saved, born-again, bible totin' Christians, we also relish in the thought of walking through the pearly gates & strolling down the streets of gold one day. What I am really being convicted of is the love part. Where is the Love? (I can hear Stroo singing that out loud right now!) Not just any love, but love for ALL of God's people. Would people who don't know me recognize me as a follower of Christ just because of my faith and hope or would they see the evidence of love? Later in vs. 8 he refers to the love for others as being the love that the Holy Spirit has given them. Hmmmm. How often do I try to love on my own. No wonder I can't do it... I must turn to God and ask for the HIM, the Holy Spirit to LOVE through me.
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