Stable, Steadfast

Stable, Steadfast

As a young girl I loved to ice-skate. Remaining stable and keeping my skates from sliding around uncontrollably was crucial to staying upright. Of course, ice is slippery. It is easy for your skates to shift even a little in the wrong direction, and then you find yourself sprawled on the ice. Sharp blades and knowledge of skating help to keep you stable. I didn’t like falling, so I took lessons. I practiced what I was taught. I grew in my abilities. (Full disclosure: I have since lost those abilities.) Ice-skating reminds me of Paul’s description of someone reconciled to God in Colossians 1:23.

If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

In Colossians 1:22 Paul stated that Jesus reconciled us by His death. It has been completed, so why does verse 23 begin with if? In the English language, if tends to be a word that expresses doubt or a required condition. It has caused much debate over what Paul means.

Other ways it can be translated that are closer to the original Greek meaning are since, in as much or seeing that. In verse 22 we know that Paul is addressing believers because he is describing those who were alienated and hostile in mind (verse 21) but are now reconciled to God through Jesus. So, we would read verse 23 as evidence of a reconciled person by four qualifications: continuing in the faith, stable, steadfast, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel. Jesus talked about good trees bearing good fruit (Matthew 7:17-18). James 2:14-26 reiterates that true faith is evidenced by works. Verse 23 is some of that good fruit. I’m sure we all know someone who professed their faith in God, but as the years go by, there is never any evidence of a changed life. Paul says one indication of a changed life is a person who continues on in the faith they professed.

As a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), we will persevere in our faith and be sanctified by the Spirit’s work in us. Even true believers will have downs as well as ups. We don’t quit sinning the second we come to saving faith, but our general direction is continued conformity to the image of Jesus. Think of David or Peter in the Bible. They committed what we would consider big sins, but they weren’t eternally lost. The Holy Spirit continued sanctifying them. We have God’s promise that He will complete the work He began in us (Philippians 1:6). The fact that Jesus reconciled us, and that God transferred us from the domain of darkness to Jesus’ kingdom is incredible motivation to persevere with gratitude.

R.C. Sproul used the term “preservation of the saints” instead of perseverance of the saints to put the emphasis where it rightly belongs, on God. Ultimately that we are kept until eternity is completely by the power and grace of God. This may be a new concept for some or maybe something you haven’t thought about. Jesus said, “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day” (John 6:39-40). In John 10:27-29 Jesus said that no one could snatch His sheep from His hand. Paul wrote in Romans 8:35-39 that there is nothing in all of creation that can ever separate us from His love. In Ephesians 1:13-14 Paul assures us that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we are actually in heaven. Hebrews 7:25; 10:14 and 1 Peter 1:3-5 also comfort us with the assurance of salvation.

The evidence of a reconciled person is that they are stable, steadfast, and unshifting. The region in which Colossae was located was known for earthquakes. Those in the Colossian church would know what it was like for things to fall off shelves, slide around or even struggle themselves to keep their footing. Paul used words that were equated with a building’s firm foundation. This reminds me of the parable Jesus told about the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49). Jesus compares the wise man who built his house on the rock to one who hears His words and obeys. That house will withstand the storms – stable, steadfast, not shifting. He has a solid foundation.

The Gospel is that foundation (see my book Journey Through Colossians, Day 3). The message of the Gospel gives us hope. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, our hope as Christians is that Jesus will return for us (Titus 2:13; Colossians 1:5). This is the good news that the Colossian believers had heard. It was the good news that was proclaimed in all the earth. It was the good news that Paul proclaimed. Rome was the center of the known world at this time, so in a sense, the Gospel preached through Rome was reaching all around the known world as it went out from Rome. Paul might also have been thinking of the fulfillment of the Gospel going to the whole world that we see in Matthew 24:14. Either way, we know the Gospel is not just for a select group of people. It is not only for certain ethnicities, genders, or classes. Paul preached to Jews and Gentiles. It is for everyone and will be made known in all the world.

I know in the day-to-day, I often shift away from the Gospel. I obey and serve as if I am earning God’s favor even when I know that isn’t true. Or I sin making light of what my sin cost Jesus on the cross. I shift away from the Gospel when I forget God’s grace covering me when I sin or forget to show that same grace to someone else. I shift away from the Gospel when I forget that Jesus was victorious and that in Him, I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). I shift away from the Gospel when I forget the hope of eternal life the Spirit has guaranteed, and I live as if this life is all there is. We need the Gospel as our foundation every day if we are to continue in the faith, stable, steadfast, and not shifting.

For Reflection:

1. Would you describe your faith as stable, steadfast, and not shifting from the hope you have in the Gospel? Or is this a period of struggle? First, whether stable or shifting, remember that it is only by the Spirit that we persevere and are steadfast.

Second, no matter where you are at (in the middle of an earthquake or planted on a solid rock) keep building your foundation by time in the Word and prayer. Remind yourself of the Gospel and that God will keep you through eternity.

Third, find a friend in Christ to share with. If you are on the solid rock right now, share what you’ve been learning about God and what has been encouraging you. It might be what someone in a current earthquake needs to get their footing. If you’re the one being shifted here and there, ask for prayer. Share your need. Not only did God give us the Spirit to equip us, but He gave us each other to encourage and build one another up.

2. How have you shifted away from the Gospel in your day-to-day?