Bible Workout – Reflections from Colossians 1:1–18
Today’s Bible workout took us through Colossians chapter 1, verses 1–18, and it was a rich and grounding study that centred our attention on discipleship, prayer, gratitude, spiritual growth, and—above all—the supremacy of Christ.
Called by the Will of God
We began by looking at the apostle Paul and how he understood his identity. Paul introduces himself as an apostle by the will of God, not by personal ambition, reputation, or human appointment. This reminds us that calling is not self-assigned; it is God-given. When a person understands who they are in God, they are able to walk with confidence, humility, and authority.
Alongside Paul, we see Timothy—his disciple. Timothy represents the fruit and end goal of discipleship: someone who can walk alongside their leader, partner in the work, and help carry the mission forward. Discipleship, when done well, produces people who are strengthened, reliable, and able to stand.
Gratitude as a Spiritual Discipline
One striking theme in this passage is Paul’s consistent posture of thanksgiving. He openly gives thanks for the believers, praises them for their faith, and keeps them continually in prayer. This stood out as something we should actively imitate.
Paul models a heart that is grateful for the people God has placed around him. As believers, we are called to value our brothers and sisters in Christ—not only by speaking well of them, but by praying for them consistently. Gratitude keeps our hearts soft and our relationships healthy.
Faith, Love, and Hope
Paul acknowledges that the believers have received the gospel, and that this gospel has produced visible fruit in their lives. Because of the hope laid up for them in heaven, they demonstrate faith in Christ and love toward one another.
This order is important:
They received the gospel
The gospel gave them hope
That hope produced faith and love
Hope is not passive—it fuels how we live, how we believe, and how we treat others. Faith and love are evidence that the gospel has truly taken root.
Discipleship Begins with Prayer
Paul does not rush into instruction alone—he begins with prayer. We spent time discussing how discipleship truly starts with prayer. Often, before going deep with people, we should first pray for them and with them.
Paul’s prayer reveals a clear progression:
That they would receive revelation of who Christ is
That this revelation would lead to a life pleasing to God
That such a life would produce spiritual fruit
That they would grow in the knowledge of God
That they would be strengthened with endurance and patience
This strength is not merely for comfort—it is so believers can serve Christ faithfully, even through difficulty and pressure.
Delivered from Darkness
We concluded by looking at the position of Christ and our position in Him. Scripture makes it clear that we have already been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of Christ. This means we are not striving for victory—we are standing in victory because of what Christ has already accomplished.
Christ is presented as:
The image of the invisible God
Preeminent over all creation
The centre and purpose of everything
Everything exists through Him and for Him. Because of this, Christ cannot be overstated, underestimated, or sidelined. He is the focal point of our faith.
A Call to Deeper Revelation
The closing emphasis of today’s study was clear: we need a greater revelation of who Christ is. This revelation does not come casually—it comes through meditation, prayer, and consistent study of the Word.
When our vision of Christ is clear and elevated, our lives follow. We live more victoriously, experience more of His grace and mercy, and see that same power bring deliverance to others.
Christ at the centre changes everything.