Thought #6

(How can I be sure that all Jesus Accomplished is for me?)
(Col 1:15-23)

Text: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 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;

Some Initial Remarks

Again this week we return to our text for the last two weeks. First we looked at who Jesus is. Paul is clear, in ways that cannot be confused or denied Christ is God the creator, God the sustainer, God for whom the worlds were made and the God who gives life to His creation. Christ has the place of preeminence in creation and in the church, for Christ is the head of the body. Last week we saw all that Christ has accomplished; we said, He made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. He delivered us from the power of darkness! He translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son! We have Been forgiven of all Sins! He made peace through the blood of His Cross! He took those who were estranged from Himself, those who were enemies, and reconciled them! Because of His sacrifice He intends to present us Holy, Unblameable, Unreproveable.

Now you will find no greater truths in the entire word of God than these. Read over all that Christ has accomplished, what greater comfort can be given, what greater joy can be had. But now to our final point in the study. How can I know it has been done for me? This is a most practical question. In 1746 Jonathan Edwards, in the introduction of "A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections" made this statement "There is no question whatsoever, that is of greater importance to mankind, and what more concerns every individual person to be well resolved in, than this: What are the distinguishing qualifications of those that are in favor with God, and entitled to His eternal rewards? Or, which comes to the same thing, what is the nature of true religion?" We will not labor near as long, nor till as deep as our brother did when he asked, "what is the nature of true religion" but Lord willing we will endeavor to answer that question within our text.

What is being talked about in context?

As previously stated Paul is dealing with all that we have in Christ and even further still what Christ has accomplished on our behalf. So to that all important question: How can I know that what Jesus Accomplished is for me?

After Paul having completed that wonderful list of all that Christ has accomplished He says this in verse 23 that we can be sure it is Christ's desire to present us "holy, and unblameable and unreproveable is his sight" "IF"!

Now before we look at "if" let's touch on a couple of things. We know we are saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves it is a gift of God. Paul makes it clear in Philippians 1:29 that even the ability to believe is given to us. We know that we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. We know that nothing in heaven, or in hell, or in any other place or any other one can separate us from the love of God in Christ. But Paul says we know Christ has done this for us "if".

What Paul is doing is answering the question How can you know that you know. Obviously God's Spirit will bear witness with your spirit. But how can you know? I think James could help us here; faith without works is dead abiding alone. Does not James say in 2:18 he will show his faith by his works. Or to express it a little differently isn't James saying he will prove the legitimacy of his faith because works naturally follow. Did not Christ teach that a good tree produces good fruit.

So to Paul's "if": "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel..." You see according to Paul one who began in the household of faith and has fallen away, one who no longer prays, one who know longer studies the scriptures to show himself approved unto God, one who forsakes the assembling of himself with other Christians, has within himself NO proof that he is indeed a Christian, his own conscience is crying out "you are not continuing in the faith". I cannot tell who is saved, but the Holy Spirit knows, and we can prove our own calling and election sure. According to Paul it is proved by our abidance in Jesus Christ, our abidance in the faith. If we believe something we did in the past can save us we are fooled, and quite possibly not even part of the kingdom of Christ. Or to express it as John Gill: men and women can be sure that all that Christ has done was done for them if they continue in "the doctrine of faith which they had received and embraced; and in the grace of faith, and the exercise of it which was implanted in them; and in the profession of faith which they had made..." Surely we would agree for one not to continue in any one of these means one never possessed them to begin with.

Application

First salvation is of the Lord, and God's people are being kept by His power. You cannot loose your salvation. Your rebirth cannot fail, and you need a new one.

But you must be born again. The only real proof you and I have of the legitimacy of our faith is our continuance in that faith. Inversely, the best indicator of a person not being born again is his beginning to fall away or even falling away, that person no longer continuing in the faith, no longer grounded, no longer settled, but "moved away" from the hope of the gospel. If you are saved you may slip but you will not fall away (ask David). But a profession that is not followed by a continuance in the faith is void.

May today we ask that important question "How can I know?" Only you and I with the help of the Spirit of God can answer that question for ourselves!

May the Lord order your every step, until we meet again.