“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, PRAYING ALWAYS FOR YOU, SINCE WE HEARD OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS and of your LOVE FOR ALL THE SAINTS; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since THE DAY YOU HEARD AND KNEW THE GRACE OF GOD IN TRUTH;” (Colossians 1:3-6)
The Book of Colossians, this is one of Paul’s prison letters. He’s writing it to a church that was about a hundred miles east of Ephesus in modern Turkey today. In that day, it was in a region called Phrygia. It was part of Asia Minor. And Paul is writing to them to SHARE HIS HEART as he responds to the mixed news that he hears coming out of the city of Colossi through Epaphras, their minister and their servant. The primary theme of this letter is THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST. And we certainly as a church want to make him lead in all things. And this is a letter that will ENCOURAGE YOU AND I just to do that.
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, DO NOT CEASE TO PRAY FOR YOU, and to ask that you may be FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:9-14)
The verse means that, JESUS CHRIST PAID THE PRICE TO FREE US FROM SIN, AND THAT OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham