Source: Google pics
1:Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2:To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:
3:We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4:because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people
5:the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel
6:that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. (NIV)
Colossians 1:1-6
In understanding Paul's words to the Colossians, we must observe some key words and how they connect. The words are faith, love, hope, and gospel.
Paul writes that this connection is the way the gospel bears fruits in any part of the world (v6). Thus, this is reliable irrespective of location, system of government and generation.
Firstly, this faith in Christ Jesus is the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness while the love is what we have and show for all Gods people.
How is our faith and how much love do we show our brethren in their trying time?
The hope presented by the gospel is the hope that is stored for you in heaven (v5). This is what will stir an unconditional love for the brethren and unwavering faith in Christ.
Does the gospel you hear being preached in your locality stir in people a hope for what is stored for us in heaven?
Be careful to observe that one goal of the gospel is to stir an insatiable appetite for heaven. When the focus of the gospel shifts from this goal to a more earthward view, love and faith grows cold.
PRAYER:
Open my eyes Lord to see the hope stored for me in heaven.