Kingdom Fruit
‘In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world – just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.’ Colossians 1:6
This vibrant letter from Paul to the young church at Colossae tells us that deep transformation has taken place in the community. The gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly flourishing, evidenced by the fruit of hope, joy, love and good works.
Paul, now writing from prison in Rome, had not visited Colossae, 2.1, but would have heard all about it from Epaphras. After Epaphras and Philemon had responded to the gospel, they had returned to their home town of Colossae and shared the good news there. Today’s key verses give us a glimpse of how effective was the spread of the gospel in this region of present day Turkey. Churches had begun to meet in homes in Colossae as well as in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Early in the chapter we have an inspirational glimpse into Paul’s prayer life. Reading on from verse 3 we catch his passion, both in thankfulness and in intercession for these brothers and sisters whom he has never met. He is overjoyed that the love of Christ in them has already born such rich fruit, both in the community and in their own lives. He prays that they might have:
- all spiritual wisdom and understanding;
- growth in the knowledge of God;
- strength commensurate with God’s mighty power;
- endurance for everything;
- patience and joyful thanksgiving.
What a great list to help us all live as overcomers!
These verses give us a tremendous tool for praying for each other and for the spread of disciple making. I especially notice Paul’s phrase ‘to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father’. Endurance doesn’t come naturally to me, let alone joyfulness whilst enduring, but as Paul makes clear in verse 24, suffering is an inevitable part of being a Jesus people.
Next we read a glorious passage, focusing on the supremacy of Christ. Against a cosmic backdrop, Paul emphasises again and again that everything revolves around Jesus Christ. These verses are often printed as a poem and may have been sung or said in worship by several of the new communities of Christians. They sum up God’s all-encompassing work of salvation through Jesus - I recommend committing them to memory.
In the final verses of chapter one Paul reminds us of his calling as an apostle - and of our own calling as disciples to bear fruit, verse 26: ‘to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.’
- Catherine Horton
Inward prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I yield myself to you as a labourer in your harvest. Your Spirit in me enables me to live the life of an overcomer! I receive your grace - and position myself to bear fruit in your Kingdom.
Outward prayer: Father God, you make yourself known to all people through Jesus. I pray for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit amongst all the unreached peoples of our generation so that He may receive the reward for his sufferings.
This vibrant letter from Paul to the young church at Colossae tells us that deep transformation has taken place in the community. The gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly flourishing, evidenced by the fruit of hope, joy, love and good works.
Paul, now writing from prison in Rome, had not visited Colossae, 2.1, but would have heard all about it from Epaphras. After Epaphras and Philemon had responded to the gospel, they had returned to their home town of Colossae and shared the good news there. Today’s key verses give us a glimpse of how effective was the spread of the gospel in this region of present day Turkey. Churches had begun to meet in homes in Colossae as well as in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Early in the chapter we have an inspirational glimpse into Paul’s prayer life. Reading on from verse 3 we catch his passion, both in thankfulness and in intercession for these brothers and sisters whom he has never met. He is overjoyed that the love of Christ in them has already born such rich fruit, both in the community and in their own lives. He prays that they might have:
- all spiritual wisdom and understanding;
- growth in the knowledge of God;
- strength commensurate with God’s mighty power;
- endurance for everything;
- patience and joyful thanksgiving.
What a great list to help us all live as overcomers!
These verses give us a tremendous tool for praying for each other and for the spread of disciple making. I especially notice Paul’s phrase ‘to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father’. Endurance doesn’t come naturally to me, let alone joyfulness whilst enduring, but as Paul makes clear in verse 24, suffering is an inevitable part of being a Jesus people.
Next we read a glorious passage, focusing on the supremacy of Christ. Against a cosmic backdrop, Paul emphasises again and again that everything revolves around Jesus Christ. These verses are often printed as a poem and may have been sung or said in worship by several of the new communities of Christians. They sum up God’s all-encompassing work of salvation through Jesus - I recommend committing them to memory.
In the final verses of chapter one Paul reminds us of his calling as an apostle - and of our own calling as disciples to bear fruit, verse 26: ‘to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.’
- Catherine Horton
Inward prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I yield myself to you as a labourer in your harvest. Your Spirit in me enables me to live the life of an overcomer! I receive your grace - and position myself to bear fruit in your Kingdom.
Outward prayer: Father God, you make yourself known to all people through Jesus. I pray for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit amongst all the unreached peoples of our generation so that He may receive the reward for his sufferings.
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