Inspirations from Colossians

"IF"

If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which is preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister. – Colossians 1:23

In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians he begins by reminding them and us, of “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,” and through “the word of truth of the gospel” (1:5) we have been qualified to be “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light“ (1:12), “delivered from the power of darkness," and “translated into the kingdom of His dear Son in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (1:13-14). We have been “reconciled” (1:21) “In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight” (1:22).

As we live surrounded by the evil and darkness of this present age, we can take hold of the wonderful assurance of our glorious inheritance in heaven. The knowledge of our hope and future helps us through each day and the trials we sometimes must face.

And in those times when the darkness tries to overwhelm us, we must also remember Paul’s words of caution. These promises of the hope of eternal life can only be received at the end of our journey, “If” – if we “continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” In order to receive the blessings of the faith, we must remain in the faith. We can never allow discouragement, tragedy, or any negative influences or circumstances we must endure, remove us away from our glorious inheritance in Christ.

We are told that the devil operates as a lion seeking those he can devour away from the faith (I Peter 5:8). He wants to destroy your life by severing you away from your lifeline in the Messiah Jesus. Let us always be aware of his strategies to destroy us and refuse to let him rob us of the treasure God has given us in His Son.

Continue your journey carefully guarding your treasure; the hope of the gospel of life, because it is your life. And may we all be able to declare triumphantly with Paul: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love His appearing” (II Timothy 4:7,8).

Copyright 2023 by H.D. Shively

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