Which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. (Colossians 1:6)
As Paul wrote to the Christians in the ancient city of Colosse—people he had yet to meet—he started his letter by thanking God for them (Colossians 1:3). He was thankful because of their faith in Jesus, because of their love for God’s people (Colossians 1:4), and because of the hope they had in heaven (Colossians 1:5).
Something came to the Colossians: the word of the truth of the gospel (Colossians 1:5). Because that word was the good news of God, there was power in the message and God used it to do a tremendous work among the people of Colosse. That good news (the gospel) is really God’s message about who Jesus is and what He did for us, especially what He did on the cross.
Notice what Paul said about the truth of the gospel that came to the Colossians.
That word is bringing forth fruit. There is effective power in the message of God’s good news. It has the power to bring forth fruit. It’s the fruit of forgiven sins, transformed lives, healed relationships, and the goodness of God over one’s body, soul and spirit.
It started when they heard and knew the grace of God in truth. It begins with hearing the good news of God. When we hear that message, God uses it in a powerful way, including building faith in us. The good news helps us to know the grace of God in truth. God’s undeserved favor and acceptance—His grace—comes to us through the work of His word. It’s not the only way God’s grace comes to us, but it is an important way. If you want more grace, one way to get it is to read and hear more of His word.
Finally, notice that God’s good news is doing this work also in all the world. It came to the Colossians but it didn’t begin with them nor did it end with them. This message is such good news that God wants it to go to all the world. When we receive something good from God, He wants us to pass it on to others. It isn’t just for one nation, language, race, class or culture. It’s for all the world. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
Think about your life and ask:
- Is the good news of God’s work in Jesus bringing forth fruit in your life?
- Are you receiving more and more of God’s grace through His word?
- Do you care about getting that word and the fruit it brings out to all the world?
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David’s weekly devotional is also translated into German.
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