In Colossians chapter 1 Paul is giving thanks to God for the church that is growing in strength. He makes the statement that the gospel of Jesus Christ is bearing fruit and growing throughout the world and its all due to one thing found in verse 6, they truly understood God’s grace. In fact this letter was written because there were false teachers encouraging the church to worship angels and follow special rules, regulations and ceremonies.

This teaching is not confined to Paul’s days but even today the enemy is trying to add to the gospel. The truth is there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. That is why our faith has to be in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.

Verse twelve has a powerful statement that is worth writing on the tablet of your mind: He had qualified you! There is nothing that you have to do or could ever do that will make you more fit to share in the inheritance we have with Him. Only faith in Christ Jesus and the work he did for us on the cross enables us to receive our eternal reward that is stored up for us in heaven.

Paul is saying he gives thanks to God because of this truth. That faith springs eternal in our hearts and we in turn have a love for God’s people. All that because we know that we have been saved from the dominion of darkness and our destiny is in heaven. God is the one that has qualified you, and that we receive by faith, so give thanks.

(Read chapter one and meditate on it while we share more thoughts on the chapter.)

Tags: Grace, faith