Ministry For Life
With Jennifer Devlin
Colossians 1:1-14
Hey everyone! I have a new adventure for us. The Ministry for Life column will feature a mini Bible study each month for the next few months. Together, we'll cruise thru Colossians, and have questions for reflection at the end of each article. Contact me through my email, Jennifer@ministryforlife.com if you'd like to talk about any of the verses we discuss in the articles. This study first posted on my blog – you are welcome to leave comments there as well – www.jenniferdevlin.blogspot.com . I look forward to this journey with you! I think this will be a powerful way to encourage each other in the Word of God – especially as we enter into this summer season.
We will go straight through Colossians, starting with the first segment, Colossians 1:1-14. While many times we skim over the opening of a new letter, due to the seemingly simple list of praise and background, let's take a minute to look at Paul's intro:
He loves the people he ministers to.
He prays for them.
He expects the gospel to go forth.
He looks for the fruit of that gospel to be planted and manifested in the lives of those who hear it.
Look at verse 6. I shouldn't be amazed, but I am surprised that Paul points out that it is the "same Good News" (NLT). Are others coming along asserting that there is a "new" message? Yes. Gnosticism is rampant...even squeezing into their church culture. And yet, while Paul confirms the reality that the real gospel message is the same gospel message it has always been, he takes time to praise God for the faithfulness of the committed believers. And he prays for them.
Colossians 1:10-13 show us the heart's cry behind Paul's prayers - so that the believers will:
- live a life worthy of their calling in Christ Jesus
- please the Lord
- bear fruit
- grow in the knowledge of the Lord
- be strengthened
- joyfully praise God
Why pray all these things for other believers? Because we ALL have been rescued from darkness (v. 13) and brought into God's kingdom through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.
So, readers, I challenge us all --
1. Do we pray for our fellow believers in this manner? Do we long to see these same qualities manifested in their lives?
2. Are these things from verses 10-13 present in our own lives?
3. Do we live each day in light of verse 13 - as forgiven overcomers who have an inheritance and freedom from darkness?
Be a person of praise and prayer this month. Imagine Paul's prayer is for you...and pray that the Lord will increase the measure of these areas of your life as well.
Contact Jennifer Devlin