Heard and Understood

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 (Colossians 1:5b-6)

The gospel came to me—but it didn’t stop there. I heard it. I understood the grace of God in truth. But again—it didn’t stop there. Paul writes that the gospel is bearing fruit and growing, not just in the world, but also in us. That’s personal. That’s ongoing.

If we stop growing in the gospel, how can we bear fruit? James reminds us that faith without works is dead. So if our life is void of fruit, we have to ask ourselves: Did I really hear and understand the gospel in truth? Or did I only grasp it in theory, through a lens of pretense or partial understanding?

The way we hear and understand the gospel matters. It’s the foundation we build everything on. And sadly, it’s possible for someone to call themselves a Christian for years and yet still have misunderstood the grace of God—mistaking culture for truth or emotion for faith. But the beauty of grace is this: correction is possible. Transformation is still possible.

If we seek truth—if we truly seek Him—we will find Him. God promises that (Jeremiah 29:13).

So pause and ask: Have I heard and understood the gospel in truth? Is it growing in me? Am I bearing fruit? And then, in grace and humility, press in deeper. Because real truth produces real growth.