[21] And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, [22] he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, [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. (Colossians 1:21–23)
Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod clergy are at-risk to accusations of obsessing over certain biblical themes: Jesus’ death and resurrection, baptism, as well as law and Gospel. I certainly had such complaints lodged against me in parish ministry.
You know what? We stand guilty as charged. This passage from the Apostle Paul gives insight into why we are such repeat offenders.
In our passage Paul describes all people from conception as being alienated from and hostile to God due to our fallen natures. After a reminder that Jesus died and rose to justify all people before God, we’re told the result of Jesus’ sacrifice: We are holy, blameless and above reproach before God.
Let that sink in for a moment. Paul could have just said now have a right relationship with God. Instead, Paul emphasizes the point: We are holy, blameless and above reproach before God.
As a LCMS pastor it’s not surprising I’m doing a devotion on this passage. It is pure law and Gospel. As I mentioned earlier, guilty as charged. But keep reading the passage. We arrive ast one reason why LCMS clergy seem obsessed with these themes.
Paul continues…”if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard…”
Whoa. God’s people are at-risk. It’s possible for us to not continue in the faith. We can sin by attempting to earn forgiveness of sins from God the Father. Or we can slip into thinking we must cooperate with God in order to be certain of salvation. Against such risks, Paul calls us to remain stable and steadfast in the faith.
This is one reason LCMS clergy obsessed with the Gospel and baptism. Because it’s heartbreaking to see God’s people fall away from God’s grace. Because the Gospel and baptism are the foundation of the faith; everything else about the Christian life flows from this strong base. So, we keep pounding away at the foundation of the faith, at the Gospel and baptism, so that all of God’s people might remain steadfast in God’s grace.
(A Second Look devotions are written for the congregations of the Ohio District LCMS.)
Kevin Wilson 360 