Grace and Peace

Reflect on Colossians 1:1-2 and Colossians 4:18

Isn’t it remarkable that Paul, who at this point was ‘in chains’ could write so warmly to his friends in Colossae? The first verses of chapter 1 follows the conventional pattern of a Greek letter (in the same way that we put the address at the top of the page and start with ‘Dear so-and-so’). But Paul had inserted some subtle variations that would have instantly been obvious to the people who heard it first.

He didn’t just say ‘Paul’, he said ‘Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God’. So he’s writing out of a keen awareness of God’s will in his life. God’s will had taken Paul to some amazing places, preaching to hundreds (possibly thousands) and planting churches all over Turkey. But it had also taken him to some dark places. He had been flogged, deprived, hounded and at this point he was in prison, chained up and awaiting trial. The future could be anything from freedom to death.

We can’t expect God’s will for our lives to be all happiness, harmony, health and high living. It may sometimes involve hardship and hassle. But whatever comes down the track, God wants us to know exactly what Paul wished for his friends in Colossae – ‘grace and peace’.

May you know that today!

Prayer

Praise God for his generosity towards you and the peace that he gives.

Is there anything I need to confess to him today?

Bring your requests to him now – especially pray for

What particular things can you thank him for today?