1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit (Colossians 1.1-8, ESV). [1]
Scripture describes the gospel with several phrases. Acts 20:24 calls it “the gospel of the grace of God.” Romans 1:9 designates it “the gospel of His Son,” and 1 Corinthians 9:12 “the gospel of Christ.” Romans 15:16 refers to it as “the gospel of God,” 2 Corinthians 4:4 characterizes it as “the gospel of the glory of Christ,” Ephesians 6:15 as “the gospel of peace,” and Revelation 14:6 as the “eternal gospel.”[2]
Paul, here describes the gospel as “the gospel of truth,” stressing the sincerity of the Word and Its effects on the whole world. But let us step back for just a moment and look at the opening of Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae’s.
Paul here as well as in II Timothy 1.1, identifies himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus. But not by his own power or choosing, but by the power and will of God. By going back to Acts 9, we can see Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, how God reached down and called Paul out of his actions and into His service. God told Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9.15-16, NIV).[3] Paul is also with Timothy his companion and dear brother and servant in the ministry.
As with almost every letter Paul wrote, (Galatians is the exception), he opens with thanksgiving and prayer for how God is working in and through the church at Colossae’s. Paul is excited for their Faith in Christ Jesus and their Love for each other. All because of the Hope they have in the promises of Jesus Christ laid up for them in Heaven. This is the kind of report we should have spoken about us, we are faithful people, due to our love for one another, all because we have our hope placed firmly in Jesus Christ Who sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. What does your faith look like? How are you loving the brethren? Where is your hope?
The church did not have this kind of faith and love because they felt like it or because it was the way of the world. NO! They had this kind of faith and love because they had heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel of truth. This gospel was not given to just them but to the whole world. John 3.16 says, “For God so loved the whole world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have ever lasting life.” This is the gospel, It came for the whole world, was proclaimed to the whole world, however the whole world did not receive It. The gospel is still true, it is the truth, and only the truth, and we would do well to live by the very words of it. Paul wrote to young Timothy (yes, the same Timothy spoken of here) saying, “All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3.16-17, CSB).[4]
This gospel, which is true, continues to bear fruit throughout the world each and every day. Look at your life and mine as just a couple of examples. But we can look around us and see others we know who have been changed by the power of the truth of the gospel. It is not just the truth but the grace of God along with the truth of the gospel. See, God’s amazing grace of not giving us what we deserved is what makes the truth of the gospel so powerful. We deserved death and eternal separation from God, but because of His Son, and God’s unmeasured love for us our penalty was paid at the cross. Where Christ shed His blood, becoming the substitutionary sacrifice for us our sins (for the wages of sin is death… Romans 6.23) so we could have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (But God showed His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5.8; But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6.23).
This is the power of grace and the truth of the gospel. You have heard it from many people in your life; the pastor, youth leaders, Sunday School teachers, parents, and friends.
If you have never accepted the truth of the gospel then ask Jesus Christ into your heart today. He is waiting for your invitation to come in. Behold I stand at the door and knock, and if you will open the door I will come in and fellowship with you and you with Me (Revelation 3.20, my emphasis added). It is never too late to say yes to Jesus Christ to let Him into your life. You can be cleansed from all your sins, and made white as snow (Isaiah 1.18), do not delay call on Jesus Christ today.
Application
- When you hear the word “Truth” what does that mean to you? How do you apply “Truth” in your daily life? Please explain.
- How has the truth of the gospel changed the lives of the people around you? Please explain?
- When looking at your own life, being honest, can you see a difference between the way you lived before the truth of the gospel came into your life and now? Please explain why or why not?
- When is the last time you shared the truth of the gospel with someone? How did that encounter go? Please explain.
Prayer
Almighty God of Heaven and Earth, Creator of all, I humbly come before You today seeking Your face understanding I have not always done the things You have asked, or in the way You have desired. Lord, I know the truth of the gospel is important and I should be sharing it with the world. But I am afraid of what people might say, or how they will react. Lord, give me the strength and courage to stand firm on Your gospel, on Your gospel on the truth of Your Word. Give me the words to say and make it clear You are speaking and not me. Lord I thank You for all You have done in my life, and give You praise glory and honor. I pray all this in Your Son’s glorious Name, Amen.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Col 1:1–8). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[2] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1992). Colossians (pp. 11–12). Chicago: Moody Press.
[3] The New International Version. (2011). (Ac 9:15–16). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (2 Ti 3:16–17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.