Wednesday, September 15, 2021
And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach– if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. Colossians 1:21-23
Continue in the Faith
Paul opens the letter sharing his joy at how the Colossians responded to the gospel when it was brought to them by Epaphras. Then he prays that they will continue in the faith by walking in a manner worthy of the Lord and continue to increase in His knowledge and power.
Then Paul’s heart overflows in thanks to God for His salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ and He proclaims the great acts of God in “qualifying, rescuing, transferring and redeeming us.” v.12-14
He goes on to describe Jesus as ….
• the source of redemption and forgiveness. v.14
• the Image of the Invisible God. v.15a
• the firstborn of all creation. v.15b
• the creator as a part of the Godhead. v.16
• the sustaining power for the universe. v.17
• the Head (Lord) of the Church through His resurrection. v.18
• the totality of God in the flesh. v.19
• the reconciler of man to God as our Savior through His death. v.20-23
As Christians, our lives were radically changed by the gospel as we received it in faith. But some who see opportunity add to and alter the gospel to add rules and spiritual acts not a part of the original, true gospel. Men take grace and then give it ways to measure by works and then judge and feel false guilt eventually losing the joy and hope of the gospel.
Paul goes on to warn them to continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard.
Our job as the church is the same as the mission of Christ…reveal the True and Living God to the world. The world has become confused by the religious rhetoric that floods our ears from religions of all types stating they are the way to God. Today especially, people are seeking hard after something to believe in. They will find something, but they might not find the truth, depending on where they are looking. Even Christians who are established in their faith can be lured away to believe in some other truth if we are not careful. That is why Paul gave the warning.
We need to be sure that we are giving the world the truth they are seeking. We need to watch our own faith – continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel. The world is watching.
