Colossians 1 - The Source of Faith, Love and Hope

Today, Saturday May 8 The Source of Faith, Love and Hope Colossians 1:3-7 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, Paul was thankful for the faith, the love and the hope that the believers had in the church at Colossae. He heard about this from his friend Epaphras (v. 7).  Where did this faith, love and hope come from? What produced it in the hearts and lives of these dear people? Most of the people in the world today really are living without hope and have never experienced the truth of the grace of God by faith. It is so easy for us to be critical of those who appear to be so ignorant of God’s truth and love that bring this peace and hope into our world. But whose fault is it? I suggest to you, that it is not their fault but it is ours, for not sharing our faith with them. Twice Paul mentions in this passage how they had heard “the word of the truth, the gospel” and “since you heard it and understood the grace of God”. He also says that they “learned it” from Epaphras. They heard it, learned it and received it! There are countless multitudes of people in our world today that are waiting to hear this wonderful good news if only they had a teacher! “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14) Remember that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) It is our responsibility to share “the word of the truth of the Gospel” and help people “understand the grace of God in truth”. “Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17) May the Lord give us boldness to share Jesus Christ with those around us that are walking in spiritual darkness under the deception of the lies of the Evil One! Their deliverance depends upon our sharing the “good news” with them! God bless!