“For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.”
– Colossians 2:5
Main Thought: Paul, even though writing this letter during his imprisonment, is still seeking to encourage these believers through his letters and prayers. Truly these churches that he had ministered in and had taught in were dear to his heart. It appears that some word had gotten back to him concerning their spiritual growth and progress. In the very first verses of Colossians, we find the phrases “Faithful brothers” (Col. 1:2), “Thank God…for you” (Col. 1:3), and “Have not ceased to pray for you” (Col. 1:9). What caused joy in his heart was hearing of their faithful standing for Christ, their continued walk with the Lord. This caused rejoicing for Paul and should cause rejoicing for us when we see fellow brothers and sisters in Christ advancing in bearing spiritual growth and faithfulness in their daily walk. It would have been so easy for him to be discouraged in this difficult time of his life, but Paul, instead of focusing on himself, focused on what God was doing among the people he had ministered to and helped establish as a church. This testimony of Paul should speak to us as well, that when we are tempted to let life’s circumstances discourage us, we should look upon the spiritual and physical blessings that are ours in Christ, and also rejoice in the ways in which God is blessing our brothers and sisters in Christ. It speaks to the necessity of being in a church family and surrounding ourselves with the people of God, who will encourage us with their own words and by seeing how God is working in others to transform them. May the rejoicing of the apostle Paul be an encouragement to all of us, and may we have a firm faith that encourages and brings rejoicing in others.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Job 14:1-2
“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.” – Job 14:1-2
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
Psalm 119:41-42
“Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me.” – Psalm 119:41-42
Psalm 86:9
“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” – Psalm 86:9 (ESV)
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)