This was a good exercise: first, it forces us to review who God is and what He has done; and second, it causes us to examine Scripture with fresh eyes with hopes that we might see or understand something previously missed: likely from preconceptions from prior teaching. On one hand, this is good We should be so indoctrinated, catechized, or instructed (whichever term you prefer) that false teaching can quickly be identified and dismissed; on the other hand, if the body of learned doctrine is incorrect, there needs to be a re-evaluation and subsequent shift, however slight.
- What does it say God is like?
- What does it say God has done?
- Why would He do that for me?
The final text was Colossians 1:13–23, which gives a grand portrait of Christ being very God and very man in every way, redeeming us, and being our head as we are His body the church. As wonderful as all this certainly is, St. Paul tells us something yet more wonderful/
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Col 1:19–23)The fullness of what both God and man are dwells in Jesus in order that within Him all mankind might be reconciled to God. Consider the enormity of this! We who were at odds and cut off from our Creator are now in good stead through Jesus’ death. Where there was once conflict and hostility, peace now holds sway: we are holy, blameless, and above reproach. What a wonderful and comforting relationship has been won! As wonderful as all this certainly is, I was particularly struck by the last portion: if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. St. Paul posits for the recipients at Colossae that for some hearers of this letter—and others who would come in the future—there is a real possibility of falling away from or abandoning the faith, therefore, no reconciliation in the end: a disturbing thought and rightfully so.
How are we to move forward vis a vis this warning? One way might be to rely on self-motivation to continual remain vigilant in the Christian walk and determine to press forward whatever the circumstance. Many believers take this path; however, this routinely leads to failure. Why? When faced with a rule or law, we automatically want to do the opposite of what was stipulated. Do you want me to eat a handful of freshly baked cookies? Tell me I can’t have one, then walk away. St. Paul stated this in a different way:
For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. (Rom 7:7–11)Laws inflame our sinful desires, so any attempt to rely on personal will or strength to stay in the kingdom until the last day will always fail. The focus must be reversed leading to the second, and proper, course of action: rest in our Lord Jesus Christ. What do I mean?
Christians can be so shortsighted and forgetful. We tend to believe that once God brings us into His kingdom that His work is done, and now we take up our end of the bargain in everyday life. Some become negligent, losing sight of what we have been called to. Others become surprised by their weakness of resolve, tending to make more rules and disciplines to bolster resolve, but that is a self-defeating activity. Eventually, someone recognizes the absurdity of chasing rules. When that happens, some give up on the faith (the highly publicized examples of Joshua Harris and Marty Sampson are not uncommon). Better is to cling to the sweet promise: being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6). God is the One who strengthens and supplies.
Sadly, there are preachers offering the gospel of Jesus Christ as a self-help plan or a stoic regimen. It is neither. Instead, it is news that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again for you. Baptism is for you. The Lord’s Supper is for you. Confession and absolution are for you. All that we have been given in Christ is intended to keep us in Him. Let us hold fast our confession.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:19–25)
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