“Give Thanks To God The Father As You Pray For Others!”

“Give Thanks To God The Father As You Pray For Others!”
It is becoming fashionable in Christian circles to hear expressions like, “thanks to our Father/Mother the…” etc, etc. In the Bible humans are rarely thanked for their faith and love, but rather God who is the source of these virtues.
In the letter to the Colossians from where we draw today’s inspiration thanks is an important theme (see 1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:15-17; 4:2).
In all these verses as in the opening of Paul’s other letters (except Galatians), thanks is to God who is the source of whatever the believers are. Paul writes, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Jesus Christ and of the love you have for all the saints – the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you…”
The Colossians learned it from Epaphras “a faithful minister of Christ…” (Col.1:3-8). The Colossians are an example of those whom Jesus says, “…everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rocks…” the rain, streams, winds could not shaken it (Mtt.7:24-27).
Paul commends Epaphras as “a faithful minister of Christ.” This is a contrast to the prophets who fill the people with false hopes, speaking visions from their own minds, “not from the mind of the Lord.”
If evil has become the delight of the people it is because the prophets prophesy lies in God’s name.
God is a God nearby as well as he is a God far away. No-one can hide in secret places where he cannot see. His word is like fire and like a hammer that breaks a rock to pieces.
Let the dreamer prophet revel in telling his dreams, “but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully…” (Jer.23:16-29).
My friend, for the faith and love you have, which is generated by unwavering hope, give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do not give thanks to your father/mother for that is making yourself a praise-singer.
The work of a faithful servant like Epaphras should be commended. God says you shouldn’t listen to the prophet who says nothing will happen to you even when you are enjoying yourself in sin. Build your house on solid rock as you hear God’s word and practice it.
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit help me to be a faithful minister of Christ in thought, word and deed; to hear the word and live it. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!