In The Word
Read: Colossians 1:1-14
Thankfulness for Spiritual Attainments
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
The Incomparable Christ
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
For those of us who have put our faith and trust in Christ by preaching the gospel, we have been qualified to share in the inheritance of the Kingdom of God. We have been rescued from the domain of darkness; we have been forgiven of all our sins. We are the chosen of God; we are saints and faithful followers of Christ. This has been accomplished by the will of God. Notice that once the Word of Truth enters our lives it doesn’t stop with rescuing, forgiving, and giving an inheritance. It’s a seed that is planted and will constantly grow and bear fruit if we continue to allow spiritual water, sunshine, and fertile soil to feed it. This will happen as gardeners like Paul pray for you. As you spend time in the presence of the Son, as you study the Word of God and listen to the Holy Spirit, you will grow in all respects. Living a life worthy of Christ, being pleasing to the Father, and engaging in many good works for the Kingdom of God will cause you to grow.
Does this illustrate what your life looks like? If Paul wrote a letter to you, would he say these types of things about you? Are you growing in Christ? Are you walking in a manner worthy of Christ? Is the Father pleased with the way you are living in all respects, or are there areas of your life that needs adjusting? Stand up, have faith, love truth, and grow in all respects. Understand that you are the redeemed of the Lord!