August 3 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 3 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

FAITH, LOVE AND HOPE  – Part II

Colossians 1:3-5 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven . . . “

Yesterday’s devotion was about faith.  I stated that from faith flows love (agape) and hope.  Today’s devotion will focus upon the love that flows from the faith God gives you in His Son Jesus.  The Greek word agape from which the English word love comes in today’s Scripture verse is the highest form of love there is.  It is an unconditional, uncompromising, giving love without expecting anything in return from the one you love.  Paul thanked God that the Colossians were showing agape for “all God’s people.”

The agape the Colossians were showing and giving to one another Jesus commanded, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) John writes in 1 John 4:7 “. . .love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) John wrote, “. . . let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18)

Tertullian, an early patriarch of the Christian church, observed that the believers of his day loved one another so much that they willingly died for one another. This is the kind of love Jesus calls for John 15:12.  This is the kind of love Jesus desires for you to have for your fellow believers.  This is the kind of love He wants you to show as He taught in His sermon on the mount, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:44-45)

Note above in Colossians 1:3-4, that there is a coordinating conjunction between the word “faith” and “love.”  This of course means that faith and love (agape) are of equal importance even though love flows from faith.  Both are from God and are the very character of God.  He is faithful and loving and says through His Son, “even as I have loved you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, stir up in me agape for my brother and sister even as I have received agape from my heavenly Father.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Son of God, eternal Savior, Source of life and truth and grace,

Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human race,

You our Head, who, throned in glory, For Your own will ever plead:

Fill us with Your love and pity, Heal our wrongs, and help our need.

As You, Lord, have lived for others, So may we for others live.

Freely have Your gifts been granted; Freely may Your servants give.

Yours the gold and Yours the silver, Yours the wealth of land and sea;

We but stewards of Your bounty Held in solemn trust will be.

Come, O Christ, and reign among us, King of love and Prince of Peace;

Hush the storm of strife and passion, bid its cruel discords cease.

By Your patient years of toiling, By Your silent hours of pain,

Quench our fevered thirst of pleasure, Stem our selfish greed of gain.

Son of God, eternal Savior, Source of life and truth and grace,

Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human race:

By Your praying, by Your willing That Your people should be one,

Grant, O grant our hope’s fruition: Here on earth Your will be done.

(LSB 842)