I recently got this Scripture Journal Bible — the kind with the text on one page and blank lines on the other for notes. It’s a hefty thing, about 28 pounds of Scripture, but I love how it invites me to wrestle with the words. I’m starting with Colossians, studying it in my own time. I am leaning on sermon videos my pastor preached three years ago when he first came to our church.
At the start of Colossians, Paul greets the believers of Colossae as saints and faithful in Christ—not because they’re perfect, but because the gospel has taken hold in their lives. Roots like that grow something. He reminds them that this same gospel is spreading all over the world, just as it has in Colossae. It’s a living thing, spreading and producing, and it’s doing the same in us.
Colossians 1:9-10 —”And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Paul prays they’d be filled with the knowledge of God’s will and live it out, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
The Cycle of Faith
It’s a cycle that keeps unfolding—learning who God is, stepping into what He calls us to, seeing fruit spring up, then digging deeper.
The cycle works like this: As we seek to live in a way that pleases God, He fills us with His wisdom and strength. This filling equips us to live out the gospel in our actions, which in turn bears fruit—visible evidence of a life rooted in Him. As we bear fruit, our understanding of God deepens, drawing us closer to Him. The more we know Him, the more we rely on Him, and the more He fills us again. This ongoing cycle of learning, living, bearing fruit, and growing in knowledge keeps our faith alive and active.
This cycle of learning, living, bearing fruit, and growing in knowledge isn’t just theoretical—it’s something I’ve seen in my own life.
For years, I struggled with my temper. My anger would go from zero to ten in an instant, and I often felt powerless to control it. But since I’ve been saved, it’s like a weight has lifted. I won’t say I never get irritated, but now, instead of rage, it’s more of an annoyance that passes. God is reshaping my reactions, teaching me patience, and helping me forgive—not just others but also myself. That’s fruit I could never have produced on my own.
Another change I never expected was in how I interact with people. In my 30’s, I became more withdrawn, socially awkward, and anxious in large groups. I mainly stayed at home. But as I’ve grown in faith and become part of a church, something shifted. I’m more open, more comfortable in crowds, and happy to engage with people. I see this as part of God’s work in me, drawing me out of myself to be part of something bigger.
And it hasn’t just been me. My wife has seen these changes too. They’ve strengthened her own belief that God is real and working in our lives.
Paul’s words to the Colossians hit home because, like them, I’ve wrestled with faith. I’ve let the world’s expectations shape me. But when I look at what God has done, I see that faith isn’t static. It moves. It grows. It bears fruit.
And this cycle isn’t new—Jesus points it out too:
John 15:5 — “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
If I’m not abiding, nothing will grow. Am I truly abiding in Him? Abiding means staying rooted in Christ—trusting, obeying, and drawing life from Him. And that is only possible because of what He’s already done for us:
Colossians 1:13-14— “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
This sums up the core of the gospel, plain and simple—what God has done for us through Christ. We were trapped in sin, but God rescued us, gave us a new kingdom, and forgave us through Jesus. It’s the greatest good we’ve been given, a gift—not something we are owed. Before, I saw faith as something personal, maybe even individualistic. But seeing God as a loving Father who’s rescued us changes how I live it out—faith isn’t just mine; it’s meant for something bigger.
Faith That Moves
That’s why Paul’s words to the Colossians resonate—like them, I’ve wrestled with what faith really is and how easily extra things creep in.
The Colossians were tangled up in extra stuff—pagan ideas, Jewish legalism, and they blended them into their faith. I get it. It’s easy to let the world’s expectations creep into my thinking in my pursuit of approval or security. But Paul’s prayer cuts through: Faith that’s alive moves. James drives it home:
James 2:17 — “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
It’s not about earning—it’s the natural overflow of a life deeply rooted in Christ. What is my faith producing?
The good news is, God doesn’t leave us empty-handed. He fills us with His strength, His knowledge, His patience. It’s not my effort holding this up—it’s Him.
Philippians 1:6 — “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.”
He’s the source; I’m just a branch, meant to live this gospel out and let the cycle keep going—learning, growing, bearing fruit.
Abiding in Christ means staying rooted in Him, even when it’s uncomfortable. I’m slowly letting go of the fear of my friends and family judging me for becoming a Christian and accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Just today, a friend confronted me with strong language, asking if it was true that I was “born again”. A year ago, that might have shaken me. But these last two years have been transformative for me and my family. As we grow in faith, we feel more whole, like we’re on the right path.
Things are falling into place—not because life is easier, but because God keeps reinforcing our faith and guiding our steps. And I know He’s not done. The work He started in me—He will see it through.
The cycle of learning and growth keeps going.
Final Thought:
My goal today is to lean into this—learning God’s will and living it for His glory. Colossians 1:10 ties it together: a life pleasing to Him bears fruit and deepens our knowing. Today, I can abide in Him by trusting His lead and letting that fruit show through how I live.
How About You?
What fruit is your faith producing?
Where have you seen spiritual growth that surprised you?
