1:22
We have been reconciled with God, and this was achieved by Christ’s physical death on the cross. Note the emphasis on the physical death. The pre-gnostics of the time thought the physical was evil. Today some might try and spiritualize everything. This was done in order to present us as holy and blameless in God’s sight. We are above reproach before God. Again, the gnostic type ideas would tell them their bodies were evil, beyond redemption. This is not true. We have been fully redeemed, body, mind and spirit.
1:23
The “once saved always saved” mantra is deeply unbiblical, at least if it is taken in the sense that once we have made a profession of faith it doesn't matter what we do with our lives. We are completely secure in our salvation, but we need to “continue in the faith”. Now we need to remember the context and the purpose for which Paul was writing. The Colossians lived in an atmosphere where there were many ideas and religions swirling around. His intention was that they needed to continue to lay hold of Christ and Christ alone. If they went off and followed one of these other ideas, or “added” it to the gospel then they would have no gospel at all. We must not be shifted from the hope of the gospel. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation. The gospel is universal. It is not a gospel for some people, but others have a different gospel. There is only one gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment