A Faithful Community

May 2, 2010

Background Scripture: Colossians 1
Lesson Passage: Colossians 1:1 – 14

The Sunday School lessons this quarter have been focused on the community of faith. We have examined lessons from the Old Testament as well as from the gospel accounts. In this unit of study we will look more specifically at the New Testament church as a community of faith. Today’s lesson is from one of Paul’s prison epistles. It was written during Paul’s first imprisonment. This letter is addressed to the saints and faithful brethren who comprise the church at Colosse. In this letter, Paul writes a statement that seems to indicate that he had heard about this local church but he had not visited them. So when he refers to them as faithful it is based on the testimony of others who were familiar with them. This letter, like several others written in the first century A.D., addresses—or more appropriately, refutes the false doctrine of Gnosticism or salvation through knowledge. Here, Paul also warns the church concerning the practice of worshiping angels. Paul reminded them of the hope that all Christians share. This hope is of future reward that is a part of the gospel message that believers have accepted. Our hope is part of our life transformation or sanctification. For we yield ourselves to the work of the Holy Ghost in us in obeying the scriptures in love because of this hope. Obedience to God’s word brings forth much fruit in the life of Christians who receive the word by faith and walk in it. It was this walking example of love that evidenced the faith that was in the Colossians. Paul credits Epaphras as their faithful teacher for the fruit they were bringing forth in their lives. (God has so designed the interdependence of Christians such that no one matures spiritually without help from other Christians.) It was Epaphras who told Paul of the faith of the Colossians. Just hearing of their faith and their knowledge of God’s grace was enough to cause Paul to celebrate and intercede in prayer for them. Paul gives us an example to follow. When we find those who faithfully walk in obedience according to faith, we should be prayerful for them knowing that the adversary prowls around seeking to devour.

Christians should also thank God because he is changing us into the image of his son Jesus that we might be partakers in the inheritance of the kingdom with Jesus. Jesus is the central and singular focus of the New Testament church. He is the one who unites us together as one in his body. We are called to walk worthy of Jesus and to seek to please him through our living. If for no other reason, in Jesus’ atoning death, we have the forgiveness of sin.


Robert C. Hudson
April 26, 2010