Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 13, 2012

The Gospel: “the grace of God”, “the word of truth”, “constantly bearing fruit and increasing”

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 1:1-8.
 
“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, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;  7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.”  Colossians 1:1-8.
                         

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Today’s Scripture builds our faith that the gospel constantly bears fruit and increases.  It is “the grace of God”.  It is “the word of truth”.

“10  For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”  Isaiah 55:10-11.

“9  Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘ My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.
12 “ Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded,
Who are far from righteousness.
13 “I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off;
And My salvation will not delay.
And I will grant salvation in Zion,
And My glory for Israel.”  Isaiah 46:9-13.

“Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?”  Jeremiah 23:29

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

And so, we preach and teach the gospel, “the grace of God” and “the word of truth”, with this faith that it will pierce, it will burn, and it will shatter stone hearts.  The gospel will grant salvation, bring near God’s righteousness, and accomplish all of God’s good purpose.  The gospel will succeed in the matter in which God sent it.  The gospel will constantly bear fruit and increase.

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