5 Abiding in the Gospel

Paul writes to the young believers in the Colossian church "O Colossians, cling to Jesus." What would you do if you were in the Colossian church? How would you remain faithful to Jesus? We face some of the same trials that the Colossians faced. There were false teachers making their way into the church. And they were making arguments that sounded great. They were presenting the philosophy of the day, and explaining how it fit with the church. There was popular legalism that taught righteousness was gleaned by avoiding certain foods or drinks, and participating in certain Sabbaths (not a reference to 2:16 to the Lord's Day). We face the same sort of issues. If you're a good Christian, you have to tolerate everyone else in the church. How dare you tell people that they have to believe the same things you do. There is a great pressure towards toleration. At the same time, there is another pressure in conservative Christianity toward a self-righteous legalism. Paul is saying perseverance doesn't happen because of toleration or because of some moral code. Perseverance happens because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul immediately moves from the person and work of Jesus, to the details of the gospel. The same gospel that converted them is the same gospel that will preserve them.