#4869 – Continue in Faith

Good morning people who do not move from the hope of the gospel.

Colossians 1:22-23 NIV But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Yes, we were completely wretched before we accepted Christ. And yes, we are presented holy to God once we have accepted Christ.

As glorious as our salvation and reconciliation to God is, it is not the end.

This promise of being holy in the sight of God, and being without blemish and free from accusation is reserved for those who continue in their faith, established and firm, and who do not move from the hope held in the gospel.

We must not miss that little word ‘if.’

Let me explain.

We can’t accept Christ and yet continue to live for self. We can’t accept Christ, live for Him for a while, and then slip back into selfless living and call it acceptable.

This scripture is not an isolated scripture. In fact, there are many scriptures that talk about persevering in our faith, not giving up, not growing weary, not casting away our confidence, and it even talks about people dying in faith.

Salvation is not a one-time decision, but an ongoing state of being. Sure, there is a moment of decision and that moment changes everything, but we are to continue as a living sacrifice; daily denying ourselves, taking up our cross and following Jesus.

This is the gospel of the kingdom that was preached by Jesus and the apostles, and it is still the gospel of today.