A note from our Pastor:

”Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:”

Colossians 1:6

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

It is my belief that the scriptures are best absorbed in small bites with adequate study and contemplation. Thus, in this forum, we consider one verse a week to allow you to ponder, re-read, and study the context. But in doing so, it is also important to not lose the flow of thoughts between verses. Our study verse this week is one that continues from the verse before it.

In verse five, the Apostle Paul introduces the idea of the saints at Colossae hearing the word of truth of the gospel. Through the gospel, they were learning of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal glory. Now in verse six, the Apostle continues speaking about the gospel and its impacts on the faithful.

As an aside within this verse, the Apostle makes a very important point. He writes here that the gospel is universal. This is a unique aspect of the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus Christ among religions. Prior to this, views of God and religion were limited by nationality, location, or heredity. Even consider the Old Testament and how it was given only to the Jews. For the Apostle, pointing to the gospel being given to the Gentiles, to say the teachings of Christ are universal is a profound statement.

Then the subject of the verse shifts to the impacts of the gospel. The impact of the gospel, if truly believed, is to produce spiritual fruit within the regenerated child of God. Galatians chapter five provides a listing of the fruit of the spirit. Just a few of the things that should appear when one hears and believes the gospel are faith, hope, and love. The fruit of the spirit a believer demonstrates depends on their understanding of the gospel. Both the quality and quantity of this fruit are directly linked to their investment in studying the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Finally, the Apostle concludes the verse saying that by the gospel the saints knew the grace of God in truth. This was an important point. Much of religion up to the teachings of Christ had not been based in grace. It was an obedience system with severe consequences. Now, the early church is teaching the grace of Jesus Christ in many forms. Believers are told of eternal salvation and the completed work of Christ. They are told to forgive one another and that God has forgiven them. They are told to walk in love for God and for their neighbor.

Let us today walk in the grace of God and demonstrate in our lives the fruit of the spirit.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah