MARCH 13, 2012

Celebrate The Fruit

Read: Colossians 1:3-14

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. —Colossians 1:3

It’s easy to develop a critical spirit toward people who are not
growing spiritually according to our expectations. We can easily
spot areas of concern that need correction, but we also need to
take note of what’s right. In his letters, Paul often needed to
correct churches, but he also celebrated what was good.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, for example, he mentioned that
 the gospel had taken root and was producing fruit in the lives of
the believers there (1:6). He celebrated them by directing
his thanksgiving toward God for their spiritual growth. They had come
to know Jesus and now were struggling against the false teachers
(2:6-8). He thanked the Lord for their deep and abiding love for all
 the saints and for expressing tangible and sacrificial concern for
them (1:4). Paul also thanked God because the Colossians’ faith
and love grew out of their hope—the reality and assurance that this world is not the end (1:5).

Today may present us with opportunities to observe fellow believers.
We can be critical or celebrate their spiritual progress. Let’s take the
time to thank the Lord for the way the gospel of Jesus Christ has
taken root and is producing fruit in their lives.

Help me, Lord, to reassure and strengthen
Others by the words I speak today;
I would always try to be affirming,
As our pathways cross along life’s way. —Hess

Correction does much, but encouragement does more.

Source: Our Daily Bread 2012