Seeds for 1/5/2023 - Colossians 1:7-8
Scripture: “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.”
Observation: Truly understanding grace does not come naturally; it must be learned. The Colossian Christians learned it from Paul’s friend and gospel co-worker Epaphras. God’s grace is that our right relationship with Him is based on His gift of forgiveness through Christ, not a result of proving ourselves with an adequate resume of goodness. As such, we trust in Christ and Him alone. For saving grace, we do not need Christ plus works (though they are a natural companion of authentic faith) or other philosophies (though we might find insight about life there). Grace means salvation is a gift we receive, not a status we achieve. Epaphras taught this gospel of grace to the Colossians and his ministry made a great difference in their lives.
Application: Who taught you about God’s grace? Is there anyone God is giving you the opportunity to teach and show grace to?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for those who have faithfully taught your grace and lived it out. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
If you liked this post from Seeds of Faith, why not share it and/or subscribe?
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
I always attributed receiving grace through good works, but as I've gotten older, I now see it as God's unconditional love. Good works are great but are not necessary to receive grace. My grandmother taught me about grace...showing grace and God's grace. She raised me with a strictness but a loving strictness. You felt like she'd love you no matter what but at the same time, you didn't want to displease her so you didn't take advantage of that grace. I've tried to do that with my own children too.