By: Robert Serreyn
Question? Can you explain Continue in the Faith in Colossians 1:23?
(Colossians 1:23) If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.
Answer:
To CONTINUE IN THE FAITH simply means to Continue in the Will of the Lord.
TAKE NOTICE of the first two words of V23 “IF YE” which INDICATES a conditional choice by the christian.
There are those that hold to the FALSE TEACHING that in order to remain saved a christian must continue in the faith. If this was so then our salvation would be dependant upon our faithfulness and works which the BIBLE REJECTS.
(Romans 4:5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
(Romans 11:6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
(Ephesians 2:8,9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(Titus 3:5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
(1 Peter 1:3 – 5) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The Apostle Paul continues to tell us to “Be not moved away from the HOPE of the gospel”
The HOPE we have in the Gospel is this…
– We have EVERLASTING LIFE – John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
– The PROMISE of the Rapture – Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
We are admonished to be NOT MOVED AWAY from these truths (hope) and others given in the Word of God.
Lets consider Philippians 2:16, which speaks of REMAINING FAITHFUL in Doing the Lord’s will.
(Philippians 2:16) Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
– NOT RUN IN VAIN = Did not WASTE OUR LIFE by not Living For and Serving the Lord.
In Conclusion:
As we Continue in the faith (always abounding in the work of the Lord) and the more we mature in the faith we will come to the more complete confident understanding that our labour (doing the Lord’s will) is not in vain in the Lord
(1 Corinthians 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH