1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, (NASB)
Hope, heaven, and the gospel. As we approach the last verse in this opening section of Paul’s letter we hit a string of theologically heavy words. Is this hope something vague, akin to a wish or general desire for things to be different or better? Or is this hope something more, something deeper and more profound?
Turn forward in your Bible and read 1 Peter 1:1-5. Paul is writing to the Colossians about the same kind of hope Peter would later write about to his audience. It is a hope that is set apart for us in heaven, something permanent, eternal, immovable, unshakeable. A firm ground to stand on, a solid place to live out of.
And how and where did this Gospel come to them? Through the word of truth, the gospel. Paul is about to explain more about the power of the gospel, but for now suffice it to say that this gospel is the source, the beginning of their transformation. Close your time reading this week from Ephesians 1:13-15 and pray again for the Holy Spirit to be similarly at work in you.