Faith That Moves God

Here is the new study - the book of Colossians!

Colossians 1:1-14

I know most people call this a work of Paul, which by large it probably is. But in reading the introduction, Paul writes with Timothy. Timothy could have been writing as Paul dictated the letter. He also could have been writing and collaborating on the text with Paul. Kind of blows me away as I see how the Holy Spirit works through us.

This isn't the only letter Paul writes with another. Paul seems to have welcomed the wisdom given to others through the Holy Spirit as he addressed concerns brought to him (or better said he consorted with others).

As Paul does in his letters, he extends a greeting and a prayer of exhortation. The church members in Colosse proved to be a source of joy to the missionary due to their faith in Christ and love for others. Their faith was born out of belief in the gospel message. The gospel is meant to produce believers (or fruit). Colosse is proof of the power of the message - a message of understood grace. If grace is difficult to understand, it is not a pure message. The gospel is meant to be understood as the Spirit testifies to it. If the message is embraced and real, it produces more fruit through the lives of the individuals who embrace it. As seen in verse 8, the church at Colosse bore part of the fruit of the Spirit - love.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way Colossians 1:10 (NIV)

Paul found outpourings of God's grace as an opportunity to rejoice and pray, not to be jealous or critical. Paul's prayer was for the people to receive knowledge from God about God's will. To know God's will and obey it is pleasing to God in every way. A life worthy of the Lord consists of bearing fruit in every good work; growing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power according to His might for great endurance and patience; and joyfully giving thanks to God. This tells us that faith:

• is active
• is educational
• is transformational and sufficient in all needs
• and is God honoring

God qualifies us (makes us right, pure and holy) through Christ so we can become heirs to the kingdom of light which represents an emergence out of the darkness of sin into the presence of a spotless and pure God. Christ redeemed us; He purchased a place for us in the kingdom. Christ rescues us so we can receive forgiveness from God.

The reason to give thanks to God is due to the place He offers us in heaven. He freely offers it without strings attached but with conditions. This is why Paul emphasizes the faith of the Colossians: a faith that is growing and producing fruit. Accepting Christ's offer of redemption is to accept the condition that our faith becomes active, educational, sufficient in grace, transformational, and God-honoring. We do so so we do not forget where our new life comes from. To forget such grace is to be selfish.

• What kind of letter would Paul write to you? How would he address your faith?
• How do you react when the church down the street or someone in your church is very successful in leading others to Jesus?
• What is the condition of your faith? Is it active, educational, sufficient in grace, transformational, and God-honoring?