Colossians Devotion day 1 1:1-14 Invisible Faith By: Katie Fuentes Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1 When Paul created the letter for the Colossians, he had yet to visit the church in Colossae, but was inspired to write to the people from prison in Rome, just over 1,300 miles away. The Colossians were said to have exceptional faith, so much so that their testimony reached Paul thousands of miles across land and sea, in a time before modern technology delivered news instantaneously. Paul constructed the letter as an encouragement to dispute heretical teaching about Christ and help the Christians to seek God s truth through the Holy Spirit. The Colossians faith, and ours, can be compared to the wind, an element you cannot see. Wind can be felt as it envelops your body, mind and spirit, just as faith becomes a part of a Christian s life. Wind, used here as a metaphor for faith, has many aspects and natural abilities to change the course of the world.
Wind is, making a difference in our environment when there is atmospheric pressure, resulting in waves of wind or soft, flowing regularity. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. -Colossians 1:4-5 The Colossians made an impact on many lives through their demonstration of faith in Jesus, causing others to follow and experience the love of Christ. The result was successful in bringing non-believers and idol worshipers to Christianity and being obedient to our call to fulfill the Great Commission. When you allow yourself to accept God s gift of grace, you then will be able to make a difference in the lives of others simply by sharing your faith in Jesus Christ and allowing them the opportunity to receive eternal life. Wind can to a barren land by moving soil and seed to grow in abundance in different or new areas. This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God s wonderful
grace. -Colossians 1:6 Hearing the Good News for the first time would be like the dry desert soil receiving water after years of drought. It is refreshing, cleansing, sustaining and lifesaving. Your mind and soul are relieved, bringing hope to an empty chasm and filling it with joyful light. Your life is altered immensely and your faith is rooted deeply in the understanding (and acceptance) of God s promise to provide everlasting life to those who believe. Wind is a the continents., persistent force, moving throughout So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. -Colossians 1:9 God s love for his children is constant, enduring, and timeless. His faithfulness to humanity is steadfast and everlasting, as should be our faith in His word and His promises yet to come. When we let the Holy Spirit be our compass to guide and move us in the direction of our Heavenly Father, we will consistently grow in our faith. Wind can be, allowing a cool breeze to calm your troubled spirit and bring relief to a tired body.
Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. -Colossians 1:10 To be true to your faith brings comfort and joy to the Lord and a feeling of complete soothing euphoria to our human body. Our faith in the Word can bring relief to a fatigued soul; wisdom to a distraught mind; comfort to a grieving heart; love to a bitter tongue. Secure a moment each day to read the Bible and connect with Jesus. The outcome will certainly be a harmonious return on your spiritual investment. Wind can be and dynamic, breaking through barriers thought to be impenetrable, still moving for ward to complete its journey around the globe. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy. -Colossians 1:11 Faith can be a significant mechanism in altering an overall change within the human mind, body and spirit, by creating a powerful shift in the way someone will react, think, respond and ultimately love. Building a knowledgeable platform in the gospel and understanding the valuable asset of saving faith can be extremely
important and instrumental in everyday life. Wind can be in transporting objects great distances with ease and serenity. Always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his dear son. -Colossians 1:12-13 - God provides an instruction manual for his people to follow. The Bible is helpful in supplying clear and concise details regarding sharing our faith throughout the world and inviting others to accept his grace and receive abundant life in heaven. God helps our sinful human nature by providing spiritual tasks, antidotes, lessons, enlightenment and direct commands throughout the Bible. We were blessed with the gift of free will, leaving the decisive conclusion to us and whether our individual character chooses to engage the commands. Wind is faithful and. Who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. -Colossians 1:14 According to Webster s dictionary the definition of true is, steadfast; loyal; honest; just; Being in accordance with the actual state of affairs. As Jesus stated in
John 6:47, I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. In transferring your trust from yourself to Jesus, you embrace the true meaning of faith and envelop the certainty of eternal happiness with Christ as your savior. The wind is a familiar element, almost forgettable until it makes itself known by turning a leaf, moving sediment, rippling water or rustling a tree. In this aspect, wind can be compared to temporal faith or faith knowledge, only recognized when you are in need of help or when you identify to any past familiarity or history with Christianity. From this point of view, these types of faith are not bad, quite common to the everyday person, but the genuine type of faith each person should strive for is saving faith. The wind, like faith, is perpetual in existence, most of the time quiet and unassuming, but always present, waiting to be acknowledged, understood and accepted. Wind is invisible until you add elements to its power to become evident that the air is real. Faith can also be undetectable until you accept Jesus Christ into your heart (saving faith), then the hope of what is to come becomes a certainty of what we cannot see, but knowingly feel in our hearts. To build upon your faith each day should be a privilege, joyous, uplifting moment every Christian can accomplish by simply reading the scripture and inviting God to join you on the journey. He would love nothing more than to observe His children expanding their faith and strengthening their hope in the Kingdom.
Journal Opportunity: What are some practical measures you can implement to grow in your faith? What are some ways you can share your faith regularly with others? How can you find simple methods to start becoming mission-minded in your faith?