PODCAST
Continuing Faith
June 6th, 2013
Colossians 1:15-23
More than 20 years ago we bought four multiday passes to Disney World. Back then, they were good forever. I thought they might save us some money in the long run. Surely, we would use the excess tickets on a return trip to Florida. But time got away from us, and our children are now married young adults. Maybe we will be able to take our grandchildren someday if our kids give us this blessing.
The little conjunction “if” is a powerful word. It comes with no guarantees. It all depends on satisfying the condition. In Colossians 1:23, the verse begins with “if”. It reminds us that faith is not like a non-expiring ticket to salvation. We are reconciled only so long as we persevere in our faith and hope.
“To the Jews who had believed in him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples’” (John 8:31; see 32-47). Paul reminded the Corinthians that they were being saved by the gospel, “if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:2).
Author: George Lyons
