By David Brown 

III. Christ Reconciles the Believer to Himself only if We Continue to Abide in the Faith.

Read Colossians 1:22-23

Some believers often refer to their salvation as a past accomplishment. We wrongly believe our profession of faith saves us rather than a Sovereign God saves us. But the verses in this passage make it clear that we are not talking about salvation as an isolated event, Christians must continue in the faith.

Continuing in the Faith
* The Greek term in verse 23 for “continue” (epimeno) means “to abide” and is used in a present tense form that denotes a continuous action.
* In the same verse Paul uses a present tense participle for “moving away” from the Gospel.
* Moving away from the Gospel is equivalent to turning away from sound doctrinal teaching.

When we develop a theology in life that does not include service tithing, visitation, greeting visitors etc… we move away from the sound doctrine of the Bible. We are witnessing a growing movement of so-called believers turning away from the Gospel in our society today (by both young and old. The contrast between on-going faith and not moving away from the Gospel emphasizes the need for continuing faith that Paul proclaimed. God only reconciles believers who continue in the faith that do not move away from the sound principle doctrines of the Gospel message.

Summation:

Mankind has a tendency to elevate himself up and focus upon our accomplishments when the Bible makes it clear that we should be focusing on Christ’s accomplishments.

This is a passage that teaches of the preeminent position that Jesus Christ has over all creation. He is the agent and goal of God’s act of creation and He is the One through whom God reconciles all things to Himself by. Through this reconciliation, God will present believers as acceptable to Himself if they continue to stand firm in the Gospel and not move away from sound doctrine. Christians must recognize that the ultimate accomplishment was made not by man, but by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dr. David Brown (Ph.D, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) is the Senior Pastor of Roseland Park Baptist Church in Picayune, Mississippi. You can follow him on Twitter at @davidbdwb.