We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:3-14 ESV)
In Colossians 1:3-14, Paul opens his letter with a prayer that resonates deeply with anyone striving to live a life of faith. He begins by thanking God for the Colossians’ faith in Christ Jesus and their love for all God’s people. But what strikes me most is how he ties these qualities directly to the hope laid up for them in heaven—a hope that springs from the truth of the gospel.
Faith and Love Rooted in Hope
Paul’s words remind us that faith and love aren’t just abstract concepts; they are grounded in something solid—hope. This isn’t the kind of hope that’s wishful thinking or a vague desire for something better. It’s a hope that’s firmly anchored in the promises of God, a hope that’s been heard and understood in the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.
It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily life, where faith can feel fragile, and love can be tested by the harshness of the world. But Paul draws us back to this foundational truth: our faith and love are sustained by a hope that is both enduring and unshakeable. This hope is not rooted in our circumstances, which can shift like sand, but in the eternal truth of God’s word.
A Prayer for Spiritual Growth
Paul’s prayer doesn’t stop at thanksgiving. He moves on to intercession, asking that the Colossians be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. This isn’t just about intellectual knowledge; it’s about knowing God in a way that transforms how we live.
There’s a direct link between knowing God’s will and living a life worthy of the Lord. Paul prays that this knowledge will lead to lives that please God in every way, bearing fruit in good works, growing in the knowledge of God, and being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might.
This isn’t an overnight transformation. It’s a process—one that requires perseverance and patience. And it’s in this process that we find the joy of the Lord, even in the face of trials.
Qualified to Share in the Inheritance
Paul’s final words in this passage are a beautiful reminder of our identity in Christ. He reminds the Colossians that they have been qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. This qualification isn’t something we’ve earned; it’s a gift. It’s God who has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.
This truth is humbling. It’s a reminder that our place in God’s kingdom isn’t because of anything we’ve done, but because of His great mercy and grace. It calls us to live in gratitude, with hearts that are ever mindful of the amazing grace that has brought us from darkness to light.
Walking in the Light
As I reflect on this passage, I’m reminded that walking in the light is about more than just avoiding sin. It’s about embracing the fullness of life that God has called us to. It’s about growing in our understanding of His will, bearing fruit in every good work, and being strengthened with all power to endure with joy.
This walk is sustained by the hope that we have in Christ—a hope that transforms our faith and love, grounding them in something that will never fade away. It’s a hope that calls us to live lives that are worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, and ever mindful of the incredible inheritance we’ve been given.
In our daily walk, let’s keep this hope at the forefront of our minds, allowing it to shape our faith, our love, and our lives as we seek to honor God in all that we do.