Today we’re kicking off our study of Colossians in the First 5 app, and I’m sharing a teaching on the epistle’s first two verses. Here’s a preview . . .
Today’s Reading: Colossians 1:1-2
Colossians 1:2 (ESV) “To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”
I have a confession to make: My emails are usually longer than they need to be. In most situations, it seems rude to write only a few business-like sentences. I might start my email with “I hope you’re doing well” and end with “Have a great week!” These sentiments are sincere but not necessarily critical to the message.
Sometimes I’m tempted to skip over the first few verses of Paul’s epistles as if they’re the “Hope your Monday is off to a great start” of biblical times. But there are no insignificant words in God’s Word. (2 Timothy 3:16) Today we’ll consider the importance of the words Paul included in his greeting here and in many of his other letters: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father” (Colossians 1:2).
God’s grace is His undeserved favor freely given to sinners through faith in Christ. By God’s grace, we don’t receive what our sin deserves (God’s wrath), and instead we receive that which we could never earn (God’s gift of salvation and eternal life).
Jesus Christ is our source of God’s grace. John 1:14 tells us that Jesus was “full of grace and truth.” Our salvation is rooted in this free gift of God’s grace in Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
You can head over to First 5 to read the entire teaching, or download the app and join us as we study Colossians together!
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