Word for Today: Friday, February 1, 2013

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

Colossians was written by Apostle Paul about the same time as Philemon and Ephesians. It is uncertain whether Paul was ever there but some bible scholars suggested that Paul may have been there during his third missionary journey to Ephesus. But one thing is certain; the church is Colosse started during Paul’s extended stay in Ephesus.

Colosse was mostly a pagan city. Although the church in Colosse had a flourishing congregation, they also faced some challenges- the danger of going into paganism and idolatry. Paul wrote this letter to address the heresy that was developing in the church.

Colossians 1:1-14 Thanksgiving and Prayers for the believers

Memory Verse Colossians 1:10(KJV) 

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

Like Paul other epistles, he started this epistle with his customary introduction and greeting in Verses 1-2. Afterwards he went on to give thanks and commend the church for their good works.

Paul gave thanks on behalf of the Colossians for three main things.

•        Their faith in Christ

•        Their love for other saints

•        And their hope laid up for them in heaven

These are three main graces in the Christian life. If we focus on things in heaven and the promise of an eternal rest, it will propagate us to run this race fervently. We need faith to run this race, Hebrews 12:2 tell us that Christ is the author of our faith, we need to fix our eyes on him.

It is noteworthy to observe that Paul continually prayed for the church in Colosse. Paul is an example of a true intercessor; he didn’t fail to keep interceding for these believers regardless of his busy schedule Verse 9. His prayer was that God will fill them with the knowledge of his will and also that they may live lives worthy of God and bear fruit in every good work.

  

It is very essential for Christians to bear fruits in our walk with God. We cannot remain baby Christians for lone, we need to grow into spiritual maturity. The word of God is there to help and fellowship with other saint is also very necessary.

We should imitate the example of Paul and intercede for the church. These days we are so concern with physical prosperity and growth. We need to make our prayers such that will facilitate godly changes in the church. Make out time to intercede for the churches especially those facing persecutions.