Colossians 1:1–8 ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, ² To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 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 the saints— ⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

As Paul begins his letter to the believers in Colosse, he follows his normal manner of complimenting them on what he has heard about them. “…we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints…”

I wonder how many of us would be described that way. Would our daily actions bring accolades or condemnation? Would your behavior in your community warrant praise or ridicule? If Epaphras came to your house, what report would he take back to Paul? We have the same motivation to live new lives, don’t we?

,,,the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.

We have heard and believed, as the Colossians, that Jesus lived and died and rose again to earn our forgiveness and open heaven for us. We have had the same message shared with us. The Spirit has worked faith in our hearts. We have that message to share. Do our lives reflect that or hinder the spread of the Good News?

Lord Jesus, thank you for having led me to faith. I know I have been forgiven and look forward to being with you forever. Help me to live now in a way that shows my certainty and opens the way for others to follow you. I pray this in your most holy and precious name. Amen.