Thankful for You
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Made New – Colossians Week 2
As we continue our journey through the book of Colossians, we’re taking it verse by verse with a clear goal—by the end, we want a strong, working knowledge of what God says in these four chapters. Ninety-five verses. One chapter a day. One memory verse per chapter. The more we put into this, the more we will get out of it. The goal isn’t just information—it’s transformation. To know Jesus more and to love Jesus more.
Paul opens his letter in Colossians 1:3–8 with something powerful. Before correction, before deep teaching, before anything else—he leads with his heart.
Gratitude Should Be Expressed
Colossians 1:3 shows Paul and Timothy giving thanks for the believers. They hadn’t even met many of them face to face, yet they were intentional about expressing appreciation.
There is something powerful about being noticed…about someone taking the time to say, “I thank God for you.” Many of us know how meaningful that is when we hear it—but how often do we say it?
Gratitude isn’t just something we feel. If it stays in our heart and never comes out of our mouth, it’s not fully gratitude at all. It’s incomplete.
Love Shows Up in Prayer
Paul didn’t just appreciate them—he prayed for them consistently. This wasn’t occasional or accidental. It was intentional and ongoing.
Think about that. Who doesn’t need someone praying for them?
Everyone is walking through something—decisions, fears, relationships, uncertainty. To tell someone, “I’m praying for you,” and actually mean it is one of the most powerful ways we can love people.
Faith That Is Seen
In Colossians 1:4, Paul says he has heard about their faith. Their faith wasn’t hidden—it was visible.
Faith in Jesus is not just something we believe—it’s something we live. When Jesus changes the inside, it shows up on the outside. Real faith produces real action.
Loving the Unlovable
Paul also highlights their love for all the saints. Not just the easy ones. Not just the people they naturally get along with. All.
That’s where things get real.
There will be people who are hard to love. People who hurt us. People we don’t naturally click with. And in our own strength, we won’t be able to love them.
That’s the point.
Colossians 1:8 reminds us that this kind of love comes from the Holy Spirit. As we surrender, pray, and let God work, He softens our hearts and gives us the ability to love beyond ourselves.
Hope Beyond This Moment
Colossians 1:5 reminds us that we have a hope that goes beyond today. No matter what we face, this life is not the end of the story.
Because of Jesus, we have an eternal perspective. A future. A promise. And that hope changes how we live right now.
A Desire to Grow
Paul also appreciates that they are learning and growing. They hadn’t arrived—and they knew it.
They were teachable.
They were willing to grow.
They were moving forward.
That’s what spiritual maturity looks like—not perfection, but progress.
Personal Application
This passage brings it right to us with two simple but powerful questions:
1. Who am I grateful for? And when was the last time I told them?
Don’t let gratitude stay unspoken. Say it. Text it. Call them. Don’t assume there will always be another opportunity.
2. Who am I consistently praying for? Picture that person. A family member. A friend.
Someone who needs Jesus.
Be intentional. Pray for them regularly.
When we begin to express gratitude and pray for others, something unexpected happens…
God changes us.
He softens our hearts.He removes bitterness.He grows us into who He is calling us to be.
Let’s not leave this as good intention—let’s turn it into action.
Because this is what it looks like to truly be Made New.
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