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Stick. to. it.

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23  If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:23

How many hobbies have you started and not seen through? A dusty sewing machine? A neglected exercise bike? New golf clubs propped up in the corner? We have a problem with perseverance.  We lack stick-to-it-ness.  This bleeds over into our relationship with God.  That is why Paul here encourages us to Continue, Stable & Steadfast. Meaning to persist, adhere to, stick with.  His call is not to keep being religious, trying really hard to be disciplined, nor striving really hard for God to accept you.  He’s saying, if you continue, and I’m sure you will if you are really a Christian, you prove that you are truly saved.  This is a strong warning not to shift from the hope of the gospel.

Why do we shift from the hope of the gospel? We often shift from it for the same reasons that our culture would want to get rid of it. Many ask, “Why is the bloody cross necessary?”  Do we have to have all the blood and gore and cruelty of the cross?  Or as Christians, why do we have to keep talking about the bloody cross? A God of love sacrificing his son? Can’t we talk of something nicer? Something that makes us feel better about ourselves instead of making us come face to face with the heinousness of our sin?  Or is that the point? Our sin really is that bad. If we shift from the crucifixion of Christ and telling others about it and instead preach an easier message without the crucifixion, no one is reconciled to God. We cannot shift from the message of the gospel for something more comfortable.

Is the message of Jesus Christ boring to you? Old news?  Have you moved on? Are you tired of me talking about the gospel? Do you stop listening when I start sharing the gospel?  Do you think that it is only for those who haven’t believed yet? It is for you.  It is your very life.  It is the only thing that gives you lasting strength. Do you want to move on to something meatier than the gospel? Something better? That’s what the false teachers wanted to do.  Paul is saying “There is nothing meatier or better than Christ reconciling us to God.”  That is the only way the rest of the Bible makes sense.

Have you replaced the gospel?  In your heart are you trying to do something to reconcile yourself with God?  Is something else more important or better than the gospel in reconciling you to God?  When people around you wonder what Christianity is all about how do you answer the question? Is it ultimately about reading your Bible? Is it ultimately about cleaning your life up? Conforming to a moral code? Being part of one political party over another?  Is it about being a good person? Is it about coming to church? Being baptized? Saying the Lord’s Prayer?  Or is it ultimately about God saving sinners like you through Jesus Christ?

So here is my encouragement to you: Don’t Shift.    Jesus alone is your only way to be reconciled to God. He is your only message. He is your only hope. The Gospel is the only thing that saves us and further gives us strength and stability in doing any of the things that we should do as Christians. If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. That, the Bible says, is how you live the Christian life.  If you have heard the gospel a thousand times, or if this is your first time, Be sure that all of your faith and hope are only in Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins. That trust is the only thing that could ever reconcile you to God. Then realize as well that trusting Jesus did that for you is the only thing that could ever bring you all the way through the Christian life.  Don’t Shift. Trust Jesus Christ as your only hope.

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