Through the Lens of Grace

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3-8 ESV).

 

I am by no means a “photographer.” I do like to capture my memories of the places and things I have seen, though it is almost an accident when I get that “perfect” picture. Through the years I have attempted to use several different kinds of cameras with various lenses. Some were designed to capture a crisp image from far distances; others were ideally suited for those images of something very close. Each produced a different image. I’m sure if I had been able to study and procure the right equipment I may have been able to use various filters and films to do much better. However, my purposes and means never took me to that depth of expertise.

 

For believers there is only one “lens” to use in our approach to life. It is the lens of grace. The opening lines of Paul’s letter to the Colossians are filled with praise. The good news of salvation and new life in Christ was spreading throughout the region, and the community was overflowing with God’s love. Epaphras played an instrumental role in starting the church in Colossae. He faithfully shared the gospel message with the people and helped them understand the hope to which God had called them. He helped the people understand God’s grace.

 

When we understand grace, we see others differently. We develop love and generosity for our brothers and sisters because that is what God has given us. By God’s grace we are forgiven our sins and given new life to enjoy with God forever, guided by his Holy Spirit. For the Colossian church, God’s grace was transforming their world. They were producing the fruit of the Spirit, the gospel message was going out into the world, and people were coming to faith.

 

Part of our role in leading others to see the purpose and plan of God in the Gospel is to help them understand the message of God’s grace. Once we have understood the depths of God’s grace for us, we are then truly able to help others see this enormous love God has given to us. Join me in telling others how God has been gracious to you! That’s the right way to lift up a Bible before the world!