Bible Verse of the Day Friday January 20th, 2023

Colossians 1:8 who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

In the beginning words of Paul's letters to the churches around the World, we find Paul expressing greetings to the brothers and sisters in Christ and offering thanksgiving for all that God has done and will always do for the World. Recurrently the Apostle Paul intercedes for the Children of God, who he is writing to by holding them up in prayer for their health, safety, welfare, and spiritual growth.

Paul wrote this letter of greetings to the church at Colossi from Rome while he was under house arrest. It most assuredly was a tremendous comfort and encouragement to Paul when he heard from Epaphras, who he lovingly speaks of as "our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf (Colossians 1:7). Epaphras communicated to Paul of the great love in the spirit that the Saints at Colossi had for Christ Jesus, each other, and all people. This "love in the Spirit" was an all-encompassing love of God and a spiritual warmth and care for each other that could only originate from heaven. The loving care and concern that the Colossians showed transcend and outshines any human love and can only find propulsion in and through the power of the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit.

This love and great concern displayed by the Christians at Colossi reminds us of the words spoken by Christ Jesus to His followers as He was going to the Cross of Calvary. He gave them a new commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you; by this, everyone will know that you are my disciples " (John 13:34-35). This new commandment did not replace the commandment given to Moses to love your neighbor as yourselves. However, this new commandment was superior because it could only come to fruition in and through the power of the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit. Jesus reminded His followers that in the past, they had heard,"' Love your neighbor and hate your enemy" (Matthew 5:43), but this new commandment tells us that we should "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44).

The faithful follower of Christ Jesus loves based on the grace of God even if that person does not deserve our love or return our love. The love we learn from Jesus is not romantic love; it is agape love, sacrificial love for others, regardless of whether they return that love. Love for our enemies is love for others not deserving of our love. True Christian love will never have any bearing on the character of our enemies. This love is dependent on us, not others. We never treat others based on who they are or their actions.