Paul kicks off the main body of his letter with wonderful encouragement.
‘We always thanks God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you’
The church in Colossae was a source of thanksgiving for Paul and his apostolic band. Even though he has never visited Colossae – and considering he’s five years from execution and a prisoner in Rome it’s unlikely that he ever will – he still draws great pleasure and encouragement from them.
What a great goal!! To be a church community that others draw encouragement from, even those who don’t get the chance to visit.
It is certainly our hope here at The Community Church, in Honiton that our faith might cause others to trust Jesus and follow him more closely.
I would also make that a personal prayer, for me and my family, that our lives might cause others to trust Jesus more and trust him for more.
We live in a society with few willing to take a spiritual lead, the trend is to go with what’s popular or palatable. People assume no-one really lives a life that honors Jesus which leads to the assumption that all Christians are basically hypocrites.
In the film ‘a few good men’ the point is made that however powerful or influential you become there are basic values of honesty and integrity that should never be violated. The revolution Jesus brings begins in the human heart, extends to the family then the church and on out to a needy world.
Lord, that these words of Paul to the Colossians might be true of us.
Amen