FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY
When the apostle Paul wrote this epistle to the Colossians, he was under house arrest in Rome. In spite of the limitations and difficulties he faced, he was more concerned about the well-being of the churches rather than his own. He wrote this epistle to the Colossians to remind them of the grace of God in saving them.
The apostle Paul began this epistle with a thanksgiving prayer unto God – “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v.3). To give thanks means to be grateful. God is the object of our thanksgiving because He is the source of all goodness which we have received. James says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (Jas. 1:17). Hence, it is important for Christians to always fill their heart with gratitude unto God in prayer.
When we go to the house of God, we must fill our hearts with gratitude. In the singing of the doxology, we praise God for whom all blessings flow. In our prayer, we often thank God for His great salvation. We offer our tithes and offerings not because of what we want God to do for us but out a grateful heart for all that He has done for us. And in sermons, we are often reminded of what God has done for us. Our worship of God is a response of our heart, in offering our praise and thanksgiving unto God.
Other than in the church, daily we are reminded to give thanks to God. We say grace as a thanksgiving unto God for His daily mercies and grace which He has bestowed us, especially for the food laid before us.
What about in our personal and private prayers? Do we often thank God for who He is and what He has done for us? Do we always acknowledge God as the source of our blessings and goodness in life? And when we pray for others, would we be giving thanks to God for them? Have we thanked God enough for answering our prayers?
Let us learn from the example of the apostle Paul, who in his prayers, His eyes were constantly focused on God alone as He prayed; and His trust in God was unshakeable.
The apostle Paul informed the Colossians that he constantly prayed for them (v.3). This is characteristic of the apostle. He always prayed for His people when he was brought to remember them. Prayer is his heartbeat.
First, he gives thanks to God for the faith of the Colossians in Christ. This refers to their salvation. Paul said that their faith was even heard by others. They did not just confess that they were believers. They manifested forth good works of their faith so much so that people talked about it.
Second, the apostle Paul mentioned love. While the faith of the Colossians is grounded in Christ, the love mentioned here is towards all saints. The idea presented here is the outward manifestation of their love – which is towards the saints. The love praised by Paul is a love in action. In 1Corinthians 13, the term agapē is translated as “charity.” Charity is basically love in action. It speaks about doing something meaningful to others out of love without expecting return. That is why we often term agape as “unconditional love.” And such a love for others is the hallmark of all saints (John 13:35).
Third, the apostle thanked God for the hope of the Colossians. This hope is not on things on earth but is to be realized only in heaven. We cannot see it with our physical eyes. It entails all the benefits and privileges of the salvation which we have in Christ. We can only believe it by faith based on the promises found in the Word of God. We have to patiently wait for it (Rom. 8:23-25). No matter how difficult and how trying our circumstances in life may be, we know that our joy, happiness and glory are not to be found in this world. Instead, God has prepared a more wonderful end for us in the world to come. Hence, even if situations in life cause us to come to an end in this world, we have a better hope of eternity to come.
Faith, hope, and charity – these are three greatest virtues of a Christian life – we have to constantly examine our life so that we may abound in these graces. And when we find that we have grown much in such graces, let us remember to give thanks to God for all of them. And when we see these being manifested in the lives of others, then let us fill our heart with gratitude and to thank God for His grace and goodness unto them. HCL.
