FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE

We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.

COLOSSIANS 1:4-5 NKJV

REFLECTION

Letter writing is quickly becoming a relic of a bygone era. With cell phones, email, and text messaging, few people sit down anymore with paper and pen, with the intent of composing a thoughtful correspondence. What are your own letter-writing habits?

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SITUATION

At some point during Paul's ministry — most likely during his imprisonment in Rome c. AD 60 — the apostle learned the church in Colossae was being bombarded by an eclectic mix of heretical teachings. Although Paul did not found the church, he felt compelled to write a letter to them to guide them back to the true teachings of the gospel. His message to them was simply that Christ is preeminent. He is Creator and Lord — the all-sufficient Savior of the world. In our union with him — by grace and through faith — the Christian finds all he or she will ever need.

OBSERVATION

Read Colossians 1:1-8 from the New International Version or the New King James Version.

New International Version

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:

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, 5 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. 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.

New King James Version

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.

EXPLORATION

1. What do you learn about the Colossian believers from this brief introductory paragraph?

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2. Why was Paul thankful for the Colossians?

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3. What does Paul mean in this passage when he speaks of "hope"

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4. What is the connection between faith, hope, and love?

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5. What do you remember most about the day when you "heard [the message of the gospel] and truly understood God's grace" (verse 6)?

6. How does Paul describe Epaphras? What role did he play in the Colossian church?

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INSPIRATION

Jesus said, "I am the bread that gives life. I am the light of the world. I am the resurrection and the life. ... I am the door. I am the way, the truth, and the life. I will come back and take you with me." Jesus proclaiming — ever offering but never forcing.

Standing over the crippled man: "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6).

Eye to eye with the blind man, now healed: "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" (9:35).

Near the tomb of Lazarus, probing the heart of Martha: "Whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (11:26).

Testing Pilate's motive: "Is that your own idea ... or did others talk to you about me?" (18:34).

The first time John hears Jesus speak, Jesus asks a question, "What do you want?" (1:38). Among Jesus' last words is yet another: "Do you love me?" (21:17).

This is the Jesus whom John remembers. The honest questions. The thundering claims. The gentle touch. Never going where not invited, but once invited never stopping until he's finished, until a choice has been made.

God will whisper. He will shout. He will touch and tug. He will take away our burdens; he'll even take away our blessings. If there are a thousand steps between us and him, he will take all but one. But he will leave the final one for us. The choice is ours.

Please understand. His goal is not to make you happy. His goal is to make you his. His goal is not to get you what you want; it is to get you what you need. ... Earthly discomfort is a glad swap for heavenly peace. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (16:33). (From A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado.)

REACTION

7. The Colossians heard the claims of Christ from Epaphras. Whom did God use to share the good news with...