A Faithful Community

Salem Bible Study
Teachings on Community
Colossians 1:9-14 (The Message)
 ^9-12Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
 ^13-14God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.

For Reflection:
For over 2000 years the Church in Jesus Christ has endured through trials and persecutions and hardships of its own making.  It continues to stumble into righteousness.  But for all its faults, the Church in all its forms is the beacon of truth in a troubled confused world.  It is the residing place of believers.  God continues to work through the fellowship of believers to establish His Kingdom on Earth. 

Pray as Paul does, for the a church through which the Grace of God can flow to all peoples.