Are you convinced of the truth?

                Many outside of the church today spend their time clinging to ideas that harden their hearts to the message of the gospel. They confuse fleeting emotional experiences with spirituality. In the end all they have upon which to base their opinion is their own knowledge or their faith in someone else’s apparent wisdom. Unfortunately, many inside the church do the same. I can relate because I was likewise deceived well into my twenties. The more I listened to those who had knowledge, the more I was acquainted with differing views, the more sophisticated and ingrained my ideology. However, one day I experienced the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The simple message of the gospel has the power to transform all people and give them victory over sin. In fact, even in its simplicity, it far surpasses all human knowledge and wisdom. Its limitless quality is part of the reason why its power can be experienced throughout the entire spectrum of human race and culture.  With the rise of world-wide persecution of Christians and differing ideas competing to persuade people regarding what is truth, people need to know why the gospel is so unique. How can we protect ourselves and our children from being deceived by competing ideologies? 

               
               Paul addressed this problem in his initial words to a group of believers which he had never met.  Colossians 1:1-14 is a call for believers to mature spiritually by focusing on the power of God.  The first eight verses are intended to convince the Colossians that the gospel they heard was the genuine truth. Paul mentions two main reasons to be confident of the genuineness of the gospel. First, the result of the gospel experienced by the Colossians is being experienced throughout the world. Second, the message of the gospel received by the Colossians is the genuine gospel.  Having heard of their response to the gospel, Paul tells the Colossians that he is praying for them in two ways. One is that they may be filled and increase with knowledge. Secondly, that they may experience his glorious might in their endeavors to endure all of the challenges they will face as they live their lives in a way that is pleasing to God.

               There are many apparent opinions competing with Christianity today. Some are overtly antagonistic such as Atheism while others are subtle perversions of the gospel. One of the most insidious attacks on the gospel comes from those who would add any human merit as a requirement to please God. God’s word makes it clear that the gospel and its effects belong completely to God. It is he that places our hope in heaven through the gospel which he has sent to us. He has loved us with an everlasting love, having qualified us, who believe in Jesus Christ, to share in the blessings of his presence. He has overcome the power of evil and has placed us under the government of his beloved Son.  The uniqueness of the gospel is found in the uniqueness of the divine persons who have made it possible for us to participate in the future glory that will come.

                Yet another corruption of the gospel comes from those who will deny that men have a need to be saved. This opinion comes from those who believe more than one valid way to righteousness is available or those who think that man is inherently good. These opinions come from those who deny the existence of a supreme moral authority.  The evidence against this line of thinking is insurmountable. For the lack of space and time I will offer only the evidence of the lives transformed by the gospel. Man’s knowledge and wisdom may reform an individual but God’s knowledge and wisdom transforms a believer’s soul (2Corinthians 5:17). 

              The best defense against influences antagonistic to the message of the gospel is a relationship with God. He is personally interested in making himself known to all people everywhere. A genuine and intimate relationship with God is uniquely precious. Nothing else compares to it and nothing else can really even compete. The proof is in the pudding. Pray, asking God to reveal himself to you. Obey, taste and see that God is good! Surrender, commit yourself to serving God and get ready to experience the faithful and endless love of Jesus Christ.