“We always thank God… because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you” (Colossians 1:3-6)

Glory! This is like a deal-breaker that relaxes a whole lot in our lives. Where does our faith and love spring from? Paul had commended the Colossians for their faith in Christ and their love for all God’s people. Now, Paul tells us where their faith and love spring from. “The faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven.”

Wow! These are treasures that cannot be compared to any on the earth. Hence, Paul did write strongly saying: “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19). This is the same attitude Jesus had even when He was being led to the cross. Hebrews 12:2 says: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus was strengthened by what was ahead.

So, the Spirit says: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand” (Colossians 3:1). These insights bring a paradigm shift to our thought life, and it also helps us not to “grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3).

BeEncouraged❤️ Freely received. Freely shared