Scripture to Read: Colossians 1:23
Many people hear the Gospel of Christ and are initially excited about being saved from their sin. But the sad news is that many never truly surrender to Christ because they are unwilling to die to themselves and live fully for Christ. God had Paul give a warning as we read in Colossians 1:23, “if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.” At first glance, this sounds like someone can lose their salvation, but that is not the case. God wants us to understand that if someone can be “moved away from the hope of the gospel” then all they did was hear it but they never surrendered to it. God tells us in 1 John 2:6, “the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” Just because someone says that they have accepted Christ as God and Savior and surrender to Him as Lord, the true evidence will be their daily walk with Christ. We are to live our lives so others see Christ through us. We must conduct ourselves as Christ did when He walked this earth. That is why Jesus told us in John 15:4, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me."
Challenge & Application
What does it mean to abide in Christ, to walk as He walked, to continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast?
How are you daily abiding in Christ, walking as He walked, and continuing in the faith firmly established and steadfast?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!