By: Matt Dickinson
Welcome Back! I trust you reflected on your ‘newness’ in Christ last week. Today, I want us to look at the introduction of this letter (Colossians). Paul’s introduction to the people of Colossae is pretty normal for his writings: 1) states the author(s) – Paul and Timothy, 2) states the recipients – Christians in Colossae, 3) gives his typical greeting – grace and peace to you from God, and 4) gives thanks and mentions he is always praying for them. In verse 4, Paul tells the Colossians why he is giving thanks and praying for them: “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints (Christians); because of the hope laid up for you in heaven…” Notice, the three words that Paul uses: faith, hope and love! If the Apostle Paul was writing a letter to you, would he say that he heard of your faith, your hope, and your love?
Well, let’s take it to a personal level with a few questions. How is your faith (or trust) in Christ in your life right now? Is there something in your life that is causing you stress? Do you find yourself worrying all the time? If so, you need to begin judging those thoughts (worries) and ask Christ to help you have faith in Him in the situation and not to worry. It is easy to have faith in Christ when things are going smooth, but it is another story when things seem to be falling apart. However, it is in those times of despair, we find out that Christ is there with us through the storm and he is so worthy of all of our trust.
What about love? Notice it says the love which you have for all the saints (Christians). Paul says love for ALL the Christians. Sometimes when I am preaching, I will have the church members look around the sanctuary and see if they have anything against someone else at church that day. I love in John 17 when Jesus is praying for future believers (us), he prays for unity. Jesus even says that people will look at the church (the people not the building) and if the people on the outside (unbelievers) see unity in the people on the inside (believers), they will know that the Father loved them and sent His son for them. This is the last thing Jesus tells his disciples before he is arrested! So, if you have anything against another believer, pray and ask God to help you forgive that person and if you need to, go talk to them. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with everything and the second is similar – to love your neighbor as yourself.
What about hope? Remember, this life is not it. One day we will no longer have to live by faith, but we will be with God in heaven forever (if we are in Christ). When was the last time, you ‘hoped’ for heaven? And it is not really heaven you are hoping for, it is the great expectation of being with God forever!! When was the last time you looked with great expectation of being with God? I can only imagine…
Of course, we all drop the ball, so to speak, when it comes to faith, hope and love. Isn’t it awesome when we do fail in one of these areas, we can approach the throne room of grace with confidence and receive the grace and mercy we need in our time of need (cf. Hebrews 4:12-16)? Let’s live a life this week of faith, hope and love as we continue to live in our newness in Christ. See you next week!