Life worthy of the gospel
God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. Colossians 1:25-27
The Apostle Paul has always been grateful that God called Him to share the message of salvation. He was profoundly indebted to God that the message was revealed so that Gentiles as well would hear the gospel. Jesus coming into this world gave His life, suffered, died on the cross and on the third day rose from the dead was the content of the gospel that Paul was proclaiming. He surrendered his life in Christ and having the knowledge that God lives in Him compelled him to live His life worthy of His calling. He wanted people to come to the realization that they too need to come to Christ. Unless they accept the message of salvation they are spiritually dead and will not experience freedom over sin. “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away” (Col. 2:13). Once they receive God’s plan of salvation and trust Jesus alone, they die in their sin and had been set free from the powers of the world (Col. 2:20). Paul recognized that this message of salvation is foolishness to the world, yet for him it is what brings eternal life to those who believe. “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (Col. 1:18). He was resolute in his conviction to tell people the message of salvation for in it his life was transformed. Because of this radical change, he is constrained to live giving glory and honor to God because of the new life he received from Him. It would be a disgrace to take for granted what Christ did on the cross by not living the new life the way He wanted you to have. When you accept His love, it will be ludicrous to disobey His will for your life. The way you live your life will be your expression of gratitude to the incomparable grace you received from Jesus, your Lord and Savior. “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ” (Phil. 1:27).
Blessings.
