Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome a very humble, wise woman, our Titus II advisor, Sharon Bridwell!
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What do we know about these believers at Colossae and what do they have to do with us? We think those at Colosse were mostly Gentiles that Epaphras reached with the Gospel. The “Big Issue” at Colossae was Gnosticism. Without getting too bogged down, Gnosticism cries out that Christ alone is NOT enough in one’s life, which sounds an awful lot like what we hear today, especially from those who don’t value Christ as you or I might.
Let’s focus on Colossians 1:3-6 and take a hard look at who we are in Christ and who Christ should be to us who claim to believe in Him.
Colossians 1:3 says, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you…” The Apostle Paul expresses his thankfulness for these believers. As individuals or as small groups they had heard the true Gospel preached by Epaphras and that was good! They have responded in Faith believing what they heard and have come together as a mini-congregation to worship Jesus Christ as Lord. Paul and the others he refers to as “we” in this verse, thank God for the goodness that only God could place in the hearts of these new converts. Think about your first experience with PWOC or another bible study group. I’m sure you were excited and thankful about finding a group of ladies who took their faith seriously.
Colossians 1:4 says, “Because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people…” In this verse, Paul gives us the reason for his thankfulness. He has heard a good report as to the faith and love that the believers in Colossae have for one another. In fact, you may have joined us here because someone told you at a previous army post to check us out! And the more you attend, the more you see women of faith who truly love God’s people.
The key to the faith of those in Colosse was in whom they had placed it—in Christ alone. We, like those in Colosse have had faith birthed in us by God, the Holy Spirit and the seal of our wholeness in Christ is evident by the love we have for all God’s people. That’s why we can come together as members of different chapels and churches off base and actually enjoy being together! We are learning to live I John 3:23, “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”
As we love each other in Christ, we pray that others will see something special in how we treat each other. Women have told me that they want to make a visual statement of what it means to follow Jesus. Like those in Colosse, many of our women are women of faith who love God’s people and pray that others will see this love in what they say and how they care for each other.
Colossians 1:5-6(a) specifically addresses that faith you see in our lives that also marked those in Colosse: “the faith and love that springs from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you”
When Paul writes, he often clumps faith, hope, and love together. But in this verse, faith and love spring from some box of reserved hope. This placement makes me think of that great hymn that says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
The highest leap my hope takes reaches to the Hope of the Glory of God Himself, which I shall one day see in heaven. From that promised hope, I have continued to build a relationship with Jesus the Christ, Lord of all. When I heard the True message of the Gospel at 13, my life changed forever. I found a hope for living, and from that kernel of hope, the Lord has daily increased my faith and love. In fact, that kernel of hope stored deep in me has brought forth life that is marked by an EVER-growing faith and love. I know that this thinking may really sound weird, but it’s true. And it’s not just true in my life—it’s true in the lives of many of my sisters at PWOC and beyond!
I also must reflect upon the reality that this hope I have is made just for Believers in Christ—not for those apart from Christ. I taste it, I sense it, I see it working out in my life—yet, this reality is but a beginning. Yes, there’s more to come on the this side of heaven and much more once I enter heaven. The Holy Spirit teaches me the true message of the Gospel—God’s thoughts—to encourage me in my faith and cause this faith within me to grow. As it grows, so does my love for those who have faith in Christ, as well as those who are lost.
Colossians 1:6(b) says, “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.”
Paul now moves from addressing the believers in Colossae to include everyone anywhere who has heard the true Gospel of Christ, which includes us! Paul wants to make it clear that no matter your geography, ethnicity, public standing, or religious (or non-religious) background—once you come to Christ, you must believe the whole Truth about Christ and fix your hope on Him alone.
Believers must leave no room for false teachings that would cover their souls in darkness and bring confusion to their thinking. He encourages these dear ones with the fact that the telling of the Gospel continues to bear fruit and grow throughout the entire world. That’s why you will find us often repeating the Gospel message.
I find it so encouraging that since the first day these believers in Colossae heard this good news, their spiritual fruit truly characterized them. It makes my heart rejoice to see how these believers understood “God’s grace.” Wow—they too like us could sense God’s love and favor in their daily lives! They knew what it meant to receive a full pardon from their sins and to become adopted children of God. It excites me and encourages my heart to know that the power of the Holy Spirit was evident in their lives just as it is in mine today. Such revelation makes all of us want to jump and shout for we too are those who bear spiritual fruit that is growing!
Here are some questions for you to ponder:
- In verses 3-5 Paul gives thanks in specifics to God for the Colossian Believers.
(a) How does his thankfulness differ from yours when you make the effort to build someone up in Christ through an email, text message or Face book post?
(b) When you find yourself in prayer for a fellow believer—what words do you use to give thanks for that person as part of your prayer?
- In verse 6, Paul says that these believers have been bringing forth fruit in their lives since the day they heard and knew the grace of God. Think back to the day when you came to Christ. Since that day, what kind of spiritual fruit and growth have you experienced that reflects the grace of God at work in your life?
Sharon Bridwell: Retired Navy, Educator, Titus2
Linking up today with my friend Kristin over at Three-word Wednesday and having a little Coffee for your Heart with Holley. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
