A Great Combination Colossians 1:3-5 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,
Right in the beginning of this letter Paul mentions three important things that when you put them together you have a great combination that will make an impact on you and the world around you.
Paul gave thanks. He was always praying for others. And he recognized the faith of the believers there at Colossae. Thanks, prayer and faith go well together! It is obvious that Paul was a thankful and grateful person! Remember what he said to the Romans about the rejecters of God, “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21-22).
This is important to notice! A grateful heart is the result of acknowledging God and His glory in every aspect of our lives! A grateful heart will produce a mind that is thankful. When you get around a thankful person you will immediately notice a positive attitude about life and others, despite the conditions or the circumstances.
Ungrateful people are proud, negative, critical and deceived! They think they are smart and know more than everyone else and yet God calls them fools. This sounds like most of the people who are trying to lead America today!
Gratefulness and thanks, or lack of it, reveal what you really believe about God! Do you find yourself being negative and critical of others and everything? Then, you should look into your heart and take inventory about your view of God and His Son Jesus Christ.
A grateful heart will motivate you to pray and intercede on behalf of others and the world around you. Prayerlessness in an indication of a proud and ungrateful heart! Paul was thankful, he was praying and he was positive, and he responded by writing encouraging words about the faith, love and hope of the believers at Colossae!
May the Lord help us to do the same!
God bless!