Reflections based on Colossians 1:3–24.

The first part of this passage reveals how Paul prayed for the Christians in Colossae. It was with an attitude of thankfulness that he prayed. He reminds them of what they have in Jesus – the faith and love that the gospel affords them. 

It is interesting to look at what Paul prays in verses 9 and 10: that they may have a greater understanding and wisdom through the Holy Spirit. This is the continuing work of sanctification that God does in our lives. Yes we are reconciled to God through Jesus’ death, but we must ‘continue in our faith’ (as v23 says) in order to live a life worthy of God. That may seem a little like we are being told we need to ‘do’ in order to please, but the word Paul uses here is axios, which means ‘in a manner that is worthy’, or ‘in a way that is fitting’.

This is talking about us living in a way that befits our new identity: holy children of God. How we do this is not through our own efforts but through the Holy Spirit’s enabling. It is through His power that we are able to endure, and Paul reminds us that we lay hold of this through an attitude of thanksgiving for we are now qualified to partake of the inheritance God has called ‘his holy people’ (v12) to.

Paul goes on to focus on the absolute supremacy of Jesus: that He is the firstborn who holds everything together. 

It is only through Jesus that we can be blemish and accusation free — but we need to choose to keep hold of our faith in Him. It is when we recognise that our confidence about our holiness before God can only be found in Jesus that we truly grasp the amazing nature of our salvation.

Prayer: God it is incredible that You view me as without blemish or accusation. By Your Spirit please continue to reveal the fullness of the knowledge of what that means to me. Amen.