PASSIONATE PURSUIT...RAISING THE BAR

​Colossians 1:5-10
SINCE WE HEARD OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, AND OF THE LOVE WHICH YE HAVE TO ALL THE SAINTS,
FOR THE HOPE WHICH IS LAID UP FOR YOU IN HEAVEN, WHEREOF YE HEARD BEFORE IN THE WORD OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL;
WHICH IS COME UNTO YOU, AS IT IS IN ALL THE WORLD; AND BRINGETH FORTH FRUIT, AS IT DOTH ALSO IN YOU, SINCE THE DAY YE HEARD OF IT, AND KNEW THE GRACE OF GOD IN TRUTH:
AS YE ALSO LEARNED OF EPAPHRAS OUR DEAR FELLOW-SERVANT, WHO IS FOR YOU A FAITHFUL MINISTER OF CHRIST;
WHO ALSO DECLARED UNTO US YOUR LOVE IN THE SPIRIT.
FOR THIS CAUSE WE ALSO, SINCE THE DAY WE HEARD IT DO NOT CEASE TO PRAY FOR YOU, AND TO DESIRE THAT YE MIGHT BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL IN ALL WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING.
THAT YE MIGHT WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD UNTO ALL PLEASING, BEIGN FRUITFUL IN EVERY GOOD WORK, AND INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD;
Paul writes a letter alongside Timothy to the saints and those faithful in Colosse, a word of encouragement. Paul thanks God for the hope which is stored up for us in Heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ has given us a storehouse of spiritual gifts and fruits to sustain us through these last and evil days. He continues to dispense that hope to empower us to become sons and daughters and to bring forth fruit and that the fruit shall remain. What is hope, seeing that He has stored up so much for us? Is it not the expectation of the manifestation of His holy promises coming to fruition. The hope of His signs, miracles, and wonders? The hope of His coming? The hope of healing and deliverance? The very hope of our resurrection in Him? That hope is ever flowing in the river of life and is everlasting. Therefore, let the eyes of your understanding be enlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; this calling to become sons and daughters is a high calling with exceedingly great power and glory unto God (See Eph 1:18-20). If there be any understanding, if there be any wisdom, if there be any glory, then we must acknowledge that with such a high calling and a hope laid up, even a heavenly seat where He has seated us in unity together…how can we have such a low expectation of the pouring of His Holy Spirit when these times require so much of the purified love of Christ. There is a need to go forth in that calling with all knowledge of his will and to please him by bringing forth fruit while doing a work of faith and while also growing leaps and bounds in the knowledge of him. High expectation comes from allowing the Lord Jesus reign as king and our saviour. When we yield to him, we allow him to give the increase. We must decrease. He who began a good work in us will perform it. We cannot do the work ourselves and have a high expectation for a fruitful harvest. Let us hold dear to this spiritual understanding.