THE FATHER’S BLESSING
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother:
2 To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Colossians 1:1-2 (CSB)
Paul concludes his opening words in Colossians by reminding the recipients that salvation, grace, and peace originate solely from the Father. These blessings are not created or found by humans but come from the Father through faith in Jesus Christ, driven by God’s grace and mercy. Recognizing salvation as part of God’s blessing calls us to live faithfully.
The Blessing of Salvation. Salvation is neither earned nor deserved; it is a gift from God. We deserve only the penalty of sin—that is, death. Anything we do cannot provide lasting or salvific value. We will never do enough to earn God's favor. Instead, God offers us this blessing by withholding the death we deserve and giving us eternal life, which we do not merit, through His mercy and grace, accessible through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift from God alone, made possible solely by Christ's work and the invitation to receive eternal life through Him.
The Blessing Through Christ. The entrance to this blessing is faith in Jesus Christ alone. Jesus declared he is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can reach the Father except through Him. The apostle Paul recognized this declaration and understood that eternal life is only accessible through Christ, as He is the sole way. Our culture often tries to blur this understanding, suggesting Jesus is just one of many ways rather than the exclusive way. As followers of Jesus, we firmly believe that only through Him can we receive the blessing of eternal life.
The Blessing Driven by Love. God’s desire to bless us with eternal life stems from His deep love. His love is undeserved, unconditional, and unearned. Out of love, He sent His Son Jesus as the sacrifice required to pay the penalty for sin. The Bible describes this as an act of God’s immense love. The Father's blessing is a loving act that should inspire us to love Him fully, recognizing that He loved us first.
QUESTIONS
How would you define salvation as part of God’s blessing?
What are some blessings that come from the Lord alone in the life of the follower of Christ?
