Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.” vs. 6
Colossians 1:1-8
We’re not sure who brought the gospel to Colossae. It was not visited by Paul during his missionary journeys, but there were many traveling preachers in those days, and their labors bore fruit. A congregation had sprung up in this city in Asia Minor (present day Turkey) and Paul has heard reports of activities there–and for the most part he is impressed. He notes that once the people had comprehended the grace of God the community had begun to bear fruit, i.e. the love, joy, peace, etc. that he had outlined in his letter to the Galatians. That’s how it is with grace! Once people take it to heart their lives are changed. It’s as though a light has been turned on and they begin to see things in an entirely new way. It isn’t that they’ve been given a set of new rules to follow, but grace changes them from being takers to givers, from lording over others to serving them, and they become lovers of all people, including their enemies. It’s that gospel message that began to be proclaimed after the resurrection of Jesus that has persisted to this day. There have been many efforts to subvert it, but none have been successful, and that is worth a long and heartfelt, “Thank you, Jesus!”
Thought to the Day: How has grace changed me?
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