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.
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