Colossians 1:6–8 ‘The gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world…’ (v6)
If we’re gardeners with some land to work with, we might be now enjoying the fruits of our labours – the beauty that blossoms from little seeds.
Yet Paul shares a more beautiful blossoming when it comes to the spread of the Christian faith, how it grows and bears fruit through the whole world.
He speaks of his fellow worker for the gospel Epaphras, who as we hinted yesterday, probably planted churches not only in Colossae but in Laodicea and Hierapolis as well (see Col. 4:13).
Paul was generous in his co-leadership of the churches, wanting to support Epaphras and acknowledging his work of sharing the Lord’s good news.
Paul doesn’t claim the glory of being the planter of the most fruitful vine, for he knows that the Lord is the ultimate gardener and harvester.
Those who work in horticulture know that much of the growing process is out of our hands.
We can pull invasive weeds and soak the plant with the right amount of water, but we can’t force it to flourish. Nor are we responsible for the fruit.
Taking the analogy to the spiritual life, if we haven’t seen so-called ‘results’ from the hours of our prayer and toil, we shouldn’t lose heart, for the Lord is in charge.
Perhaps the seeds will only produce a few plants. Or maybe a mighty crop might yet come, from which the gospel spreads throughout the world and bears life-giving fruit.
A Prayer To Make:
‘Father God, you are the Master Gardener who coaxes us to grow and prunes us when necessary. Help me to bear fruit for Your glory. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
Consider buying some flowers – or if you have some growing in your garden, picking some – to give to someone as a surprise.
Scripture To Consider:
Isa. 58:10–12; Amos 4:7–9; Luke 13:18–19; John 15:1–2
