"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven..." (Colossians 1:3-5; NKJV).
The Spirit led Paul and Timothy to give thanks for the Colossians in Colossians 1:3-5 for two reasons:
1. Their faith in Christ Jesus. They were convicted in their minds that He was the Anointed of God. They trusted Him to save them when they obeyed the gospel. They were about the business of surrendering their wills to His.
2. Their love for all the saints. They didn't just love one another. They loved all the saints. They loved saints they had never even seen in the flesh.
Put your faith in Christ Jesus. Love all the saints. Give thanks for "saints and faithful brethren in Christ" (Colossians 1:1).
Jason Cicero
