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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
Colossians 1:1-11
This epistle is addressed to an assembly which Paul had never visited (Colossians 2:1). Colosse seems to have received the gospel through Epaphras, a servant of God to whom a remarkable testimony is given here (vv. 7, 8) and in Colossians 4:12-13. In accordance with his usual practice, the apostle first mentions all the good things possible to be found among the believers to whom he is writing. Let us be inspired by his example. The threefold and complete fruit borne by the gospel at Colosse was faith, hope and love (vv. 4, 5). But what nourishes faith, sustains hope and rekindles love is the knowledge of God (v. 10). Moreover, in his prayer, the apostle asks for the Colossians to be filled with it. Their Christian walk – and ours too – should reflect a double motive: as before others, to show ourselves worthy of Him to whom we profess to belong; but above all, before the Lord, if we love Him, to seek to please Him in every thing.
See finally in v. 11 why all the Lord’s strength is required. It is not for any very spectacular combat, not even here to proclaim the gospel. It is simply to give us patience and long-suffering – with joy. These are victories which we have the opportunity of experiencing each day.
