the Colossians have heard and as the power to bring about and strengthen faith in Christ, love for others, and growth within individual Christians and the church. The Christian virtues of “faith” and “love” are not only responses to but also effects of the grace and power of the gospel of Christ. From the very beginning, Paul reminds his readers that their hope lies in what God has done for them in Christ and not in their own capacities or abilities—and certainly not in any other ceremonies, spiritual