I. Introduction

Living a life of peace, love and kindness is not so easy when we interact with others all the time. We do well, and then we fail, but we know as the church of Christ, we can make right with God and with others when we fail. We have the forgiveness of sin, and the healing and reconciliation with God through Christ. And then we have the opportunity to forgive and receive forgiveness from others. What can we learn from this very simple letter by Paul and Timothy to the Colossians?

II. The prayer and thanksgiving for the Colossians

In this letter to the Colossians, Paul and his co-worker Timothy, thank the congregation for their life and faith in Christ. They are amazed and grateful for the power of the Gospel among the believers, and they referred to them as holy and faithful, recognizing their place in Christ's Kingdom and their dedication to the Gospel. They discuss the powerful influence of the Gospel during their era, but also its role in shaping the members of this congregation and their community. The congregation heard and understood the gospel not just in their minds but as David Pao says in the Zondervan commentary of Colossians, they appropriated the Gospel in their personal life and community. The Gospel changed their lives... they have become different people, transformed by knowing the word of God and through the indwelling of the Spirit of God.

Paul and Timothy reassure them of their ongoing prayers, expressing their hope that the Gospel will continue to flourish within and among them, and that they will demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit through every good work they undertake. Although this passage does not provide a detailed explanation of the fruit of the Spirit, Paul offers a concise summary in Galatians 5:22-23, identifying them as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities, he says, are in contrast with sinful human nature, which include things like hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, factions, dissensions, envy, sexual immorality, idolatry, drunkenness, and the like. Those who live like this, he says, will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Either they bear the fruit of the Spirit, or they live according to their sinful nature. Here in Colossians, he and Timothy seem to be pleased with this congregation and encourage them to continue to bear the fruit of the Spirit. They pray for them so they will be strengthened in their life in Christ, and that they will grow in endurance and patience.

III. Conclusion

The fruits of the Spirit are simple spiritual qualities requiring little explanation. To be loving and kind, at peace with oneself and others, filled with joy and goodness and self- control, faithfulness and gentleness are the qualities of the child of God who had been saved by the blood of Christ and transformed from within. While we are not perfect in nature, we are all called to strive to live according to these qualities daily. We are all called by Paul to examine ourselves about how we live this life in Christ, and we are encouraged to lay down our sinful nature every day and clothe ourselves with the fruits of the Spirit. We also have the Spirit of God within to help us, guide us, and "nudge" us to let go of things that are in contrast with the fruits of the Spirit. May God help us to live and grow together in peace and love and harmony here at our church as we work together, and in our homes, communities and beyond. May the fruit of the Spirit spread through us into our world, so we all will live in peace together. Amen.