Colossians 1:1-8 GIVE THANKS Not every work of God follows the same pattern. There are differences in people in one place compared to those in another. Thoughts, ideas, and practices that can be accepted differ because of geography, nationality, culture, and even philosophy. Only God can suit the messenger and the message of the Gospel to the place He sends him. Paul and Timotheus didn't take the Gospel to Colossae personally. God, in His wisdom and grace, arranged for Epaphras to hear the way of salvation from those who preached it and saved him. In turn, he was sent to his home city of Colossae and declared the Gospel to them, resulting in souls being saved, and an assembly gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ was established in that city.
We may not know in our lifetime the results of our efforts in the proclamation of the Gospel. The Lord of the harvest can take a seed planted in one place and use it to produce a harvest of souls for the kingdom of God in another place. At times, those who are engaged in passing on the message of salvation hear of those God saved years earlier through their labor, now living for God in an area far removed from where they first heard the Gospel. That is a great encouragement to "cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."
We may not be personally involved in the formation of a new work, but that does not mean we have no obligation to it. In the same way, Paul knew he was an apostle "by the will of God;" those who labor in the Word of God have a responsibility to teach the word to those whom the Lord saves " for the edifying of the body of Christ." "The saints and faithful brethren" are God's people who have been called by His grace to be saints and by faith lived out in their lives, show their fidelity to the kingdom of God. These brothers and sisters are in the family of God and deserve the interest and ministry of those who can help them living by faith. We are "one in Christ, one body in the Lord," by the living unity a body represents in whatever locations saints are found.
Grace is the basis of the union of those whom God has saved, "by grace are ye saved," and gives a unique meaning to every believer when we meet. "Are you a believer? Has God saved you?" has great meaning to Christians who greet each other. To non-believers, they are either embarrassed or don't know what we are talking about, especially when it is linked with peace. Peace to a child of God is a result of God's grace that has been demonstrated and accepted. Peace comes to one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ in spite of all the uncertainties that hinder peace in our generation. Grace and peace come from "God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," not from the circumstances of life. Believers, whoever and wherever they are found, know what these words mean. We have common ground with all other true Christians on this basis.
A common reaction to meeting or communicating with other "saints and faithful brethren" is thanksgiving. When we meet or hear news of others of "like precious faith," thanksgiving for them is a normal response. We bow in our hearts to acknowledge the divine work of God in other men and women, and we are anxious to know about them and their welfare. The prayer of thanksgiving is not affected but is real when we hear of the faith others have put in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is where God's dealings with us begin. it is the principle on which our Christian life works. "The just shall live by faith." Faith establishes the preeminence of Christ in the life of a child of God. Our belief is established and relies on Him.
Following the actions and reactions of faith is a normal change in attitude toward other believers. "We know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren." Love is perhaps the greatest and most effective way we have of expressing our faith. Love is the spontaneous expression of the divine nature implanted in a child of God by the Holy Spirit. Love for God and our Lord Jesus Christ is demonstrated by love for God's children. Faith produces love, and love demonstrates the reality of faith.
A third characteristic of "a new creation in Christ Jesus" is hope. Hope also finds its basis in faith. Hope is out of physical sight but not out of spiritual reach. It is "laid up," or stored up for us in heaven. It is real even though its effect on us now is basically an incentive to holy living and faithful service. That treasure and the focus of our life is on the Person of our Lord, who is preeminent in heaven also. Our new life in Christ begins with faith in Him, is demonstrated by love for God and His people, and is focused on the future when we see our Lord glorified and honored - and His name revered above all names.
These wonders in the Christian life have come to us and been revealed to us in "the word of the truth of the Gospel." This is not some deceitful message that has come from the imaginations of human minds. This is the absolute truth that has come to us from God. The Gospel is the authentic revelation of God to us through the Person who is the Truth Himself. When our minds are opened to the truth of the Gospel, our hearts are opened to receive the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior. So, there is cause for thanksgiving for the Gospel message itself. There is also cause for thanksgiving, when we hear of its effects on other people and other places.
The Gospel is a success wherever it is preached, both by the results of souls being saved and the truth of the Gospel is declared. Bearing fruit in salvation and the growing process of it producing godliness in the lives of believers is a great cause for thanksgiving. The farther the Gospel reaches, the greater the benefit for those who believe it and the greater the glory for God. The grace of God is what the Gospel is all about, and when it is accepted, that truth is focused on our Lord Jesus Christ. There is also a reason to be thankful for those who proclaim the Gospel, like Epaphras. Faithful ministers of the Gospel labor not only to present the message but to tell of its blessings. In this book, the preeminence and supremacy of Christ is the theme.