The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Colossians 1:6-8,
"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. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit."
Paul acknowledged it was Epaphras, who was at the time with Paul, who evangelized these believers Paul is writing to. In connecting with these believers he has yet to meet, Paul establishes himself with them by acknowledging their response to the gospel in faith - the only response that matters.
Epaphras told Paul these Colossians had indeed responded to the gospel. But, it may be asked, how does anyone know if someone has truly responded to the gospel in faith? People can say what they will, but how do we know what is in the heart? The answer to that is right in the report that Epaphras provided Paul, he "told us of your love in the Spirit."
Love is a manifestation of true faith. Where love appears absent, proclaimed faith needs to be challenged. So true is this that John reinforced this in his first letter. Cast in the reverse he says, "But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them." 1 John 2:11. In bold terms he said, "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister." 1 John 3:10. Again he says, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death." 1 John 3:14.
John tells us why this is true. He says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7. We only come to know God through embracing him in faith, and those who do so love because love comes from God. Love is the manifestation of our faith.
How does God impart this love in our lives? John tells us, "This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit." 1 John 4:13. Because believers have the Holy Spirit within them, an outward manifestation of that reality is the fruit the Holy Spirit expresses in our lives, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23.
Epaphras told Paul of the reception of the gospel message in faith by the folks in Colossae, Hierapolis and Laodicea. He underscored the veracity of this report to Paul by telling him of the love these believers had for one another. Love is the manifestation of faith in the life of the believer because "God is love." 1 John 4:8, 16.
Anything of the Lord capture your heartfrom Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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