“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints – 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 that has come to you…” (Colossians 1, 3-6a/NIV).

When reading some of Paul’s epistles, have you ever thought about how Paul speaks in glowing terms about the faith of those he is writing to? In many of his letters he mentions that he does thank God for these believers.

Paul is happy that these men and women do believe in Christ. He is excited about the fact that this faith shows up in their practical living. This gives him joy, comfort and encouragement.

How do you feel about fellow Christians in your church or bible reading group? Some of them may have common interests with you. Some shared hobbies, similar professional training, same age etc. can cause Christians to form friendships.

Yet, do you ever rejoice about the faith itself? Does it excite you, when you see how others work out their faith in practical day to day living?

Would you ever call out “Praise God, for he has done something wonderful in this or that fellow believer!”? Did you ever say “Oh as I look at this Christian friend, I begin to understand more clearly how loving Christ himself must be!”?

Jesus taught his disciples they were to love each other even as he had loved them. This was to help them remember the Lord’s love. This too would be evidence to the world of their having been with Jesus. (Cf. John 13:34+35).