The Roots

Scripture Read: Colossians   1:1. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2  To the holy and faithful  brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4  because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- 5  the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6  that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

Application: Here we see that the qualities of faith and love have their roots in hope. Perhaps that is a good measuring rod to judge by. If my love is small or my faith is small that might be a clear indication that I have a hope problem. The more hope, the more real it is, the greater potential for love and faith. This is where our salvation becomes real. Some say they have the hope but when tested it is exposed as very weak. If hope is real hope it will impact how we live and act which will show itself in my love and faith.