And really what Paul is doing is reminding them about who they are in Jesus. Here’s what he says.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)
Part of what came out of their faith in Jesus was an abundance of thankfulness. Their faith was marked by gratitude.
What’s coming out of your faith in Jesus? Is it an abundance of negativity, criticism, and complaining? This isn’t a question to shame you, but rather to have you look internally and see what needs to be adjusted.
We should be like the church of Colossae when they first came to faith. Paul is telling them, remember who you were when you were centered on Jesus. Remember the kinds of things that were pouring out of you.
We can easily apply the same message to our own lives. Remember who you were when you first came to Jesus. Remember the overwhelming gratitude that flooded your heart. Come back to that.
A great way to revive that moment in your faith is to actually list five things you’re grateful for each day. You can do this during your prayer time or another time during your day. Allow yourself to call to mind what blessings God has put in your life that day.
The Heart Of Gratitude Is The Heart Centered On Jesus.
Not only does a heart of gratitude make you a better person, but it’s a marker of a person who is centered on Jesus. When your mind and heart are focused on the good things God has given you, the negativity and criticism seem less and less.
Let’s be Christians who are engaged with our world but don’t sink into the despair and lostness of it.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
