Day 349.
the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth (Col 1:6)
The hope laid up in heaven for us comes from the gospel, which is “bearing fruit and growing” in the whole world. This brings to mind two applications.
One, since the gospel is bearing fruit and growing in the world, am I a part of making that happen? Have I embraced the Great Commission that Jesus gave us to go and make disciples of all nations or am I coasting along the life that culture dictates with my Christian faith serving as my “security blanket”?
Two, I am bearing fruit and growing in something. That’s inevitable. But what is it? What goals and values are bearing fruit in my life?
Lord, would you fill us with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we walk in a manner worthy of you, fully pleasing to you, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Strengthen us with all power, according to your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, that we may give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For you have delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of your beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
