As Paul the apostle began
his letter to the Colossian church, he greeted them by stating his
position of authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He also included
that Timothy his young protege' was with him, and he greeted the
church with his typically written phrase, “Grace be
unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
In chapter one and verse three we learn of Paul's thanks and prayer
for the people who attended the church. We read:
We give thanks to God
and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
The
verse begins, “We give thanks to God and the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ,...” Paul
uses the word “We”
as he began this next section of writing to the Colosse church, and
added “give thanks”
which means “to be grateful or feel thankful” “to God
and the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ”. Though Paul was to
deal with the false teaching of the Judaizers and Gnostics that was
among the church members, he began by simply being grateful to God
the Father and the Lord Jesus for them.
The
verse continues, “...praying always for you,”. In
addition to being grateful for the people within the church, Paul
said he was “praying”
which is the Greek word “proseuchomai” and
means “to offer or make prayers” “always”
or “at all times and ever” “for you,”.
Intercession for the church of Colosse was regularly upon Paul's
mind, and he acted upon his thoughts concerning the church by
offering prayers to God for them on a regular basis.
As
we consider these words, we may be drawn to realize the importance of
giving thanks and praying for others. Paul was grateful for the
church members in Colosse, and he prayed for them regularly. Perhaps
there are people within our lives for whom we are grateful, and we
pray for them often. If we do, we align ourselves with one of the
greatest behaviors found in Paul the apostle. If we do not, then let
us allow the words of this verse to inspire us to begin to do so. As
we give thanks and pray for one another, anything that comes after
will be much easier to manage through “God and
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Next
time Paul will share about the church in Colosse's faith and love,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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