JULY 5, 2026 – FOUNDED AND STEADFAST

READ: Col. 1:21–23: “… if indeed you continue in the faith …”

Paul has explained how divinely rich and profound the reconciling work of Jesus Christ is. Now he addresses the congregation directly: you also! You who formerly were Gentiles. They did not know God, did not serve Him but His adversary. That was evident from their deeds, their manner of life. Unbelief is not neutral, but a dreadful attitude by which you insult, reject, and oppose God.

But that has changed for the congregation through receiving the gospel. They may now share in the glorious reconciling work of Christ through which, despite their evil works, they may again stand righteous before God, even holy and blameless. Christ paid for that mercy with the death of His own body!

But they must also continue believing in Him, increasingly learn to know His Word, continue to follow Him in obedience, and continue to expect everything from Him. Coming to faith in Christ, converting to God, is a divine intervention that changes their whole human existence; from enemies they have now become beloved ones, from opponents, followers. But that also requires progress; that requires commitment.

The Lord grants conversion but also requires daily conversion. The Lord gives faith, but also demands it. With the gift the Lord also gives responsibility. Paul says in Phil. 2:12,13: “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

The congregation in Colossae is urged by Paul now also to persevere and grow in their faith. They will repeatedly be tested in this, among other things, through false doctrine, such as that arising in their congregation. To be able to resist that, much knowledge and understanding of God’s Word is needed. In this way their faith can take deeper root, become stronger, stand firmer.

It is comparable to what the parable of the sower teaches. Where the seed of faith, the Word, falls on stony ground, it springs up, but withers again when the sun rises, because it has no root in itself (Matt. 13:20ff.).

Let us also realize this in a world where reading and studying the Bible are increasingly under pressure from modern media!

How often do you read books/articles about God’s Word?
Singing: Ps. 119:4,22