Colossians 1:5-8 Bearing Fruit

...because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. [Colossians 1:5-8 NASB]

Paul never visited Colossae. The church there was founded by Epaphras, who was saved during a visit to Ephesus. He spread the gospel that he had heard from Paul when he returned home, thereby starting the church in Colossae. Paul and Epaphras continued their friendship over the years, and Epaphras visited Paul during his Roman imprisonment, staying with him for some time to minister to his needs.

Paul spoke of the gospel "bearing fruit and increasing." Colossae was a perfect example of that. Paul was preaching in Ephesus. Then the word spread to Colossae through Epaphras, then those who heard it spread the word throughout the region. Jesus told this parable;

“Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. “Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. “And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. “Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. “Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” [Mark 4:3-8 NASB]

It should be the desire of every Christian for the word of God to bear fruit in our lives. That doesn't happen by accident. It is God who gives the increase, but you have to be a willing participant.

Spend time with the Bible. Prayerfully read and study, planting and watering the seeds of truth. As the word grows in us individually, it is only natural that it will grow beyond us and into our community. Jesus said,

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:19-20 NASB]

We are not all called to be preachers, nor are we all gifted to be an evangelist. Some would have you feel guilty if you are not standing on a street corner, loudly proclaiming the word of God. Some may be called to do that, but not everyone. We each have our own gifts and callings.

We do, however, have the love of God and the word of truth. We should take advantage of opportunities to share His love and speak His word into our lives and the lives of others. Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." [Matthew 5:14-16 NASB]

Paul said,

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. [Ephesians 2:10 NASB]

You are not expected to walk in anybody else's gifting but your own. If you are called to evangelize, then preach the gospel boldly. If you are called to pastor, then offer comfort and encouragement. If you are called to teach, then do so studiously, being faithful to the word. Perhaps you are called to be an administrator or a helper; do your work gladly.

Whatever you are called to do, do it faithfully. Your work for the kingdom will be joined with that of the rest of the body of Christ, and will bear fruit, and increase.

Father, I thank you for Your word. I pray that it will increase in me, and that You will grant me the wisdom and boldness to speak Your word in the world.