The gospel is good news: that is what the word 'gospel' means - "Good News!" However, everything that Jesus said and did is unknown unless somebody brings the Good News. Although the life and death of our Saviour was physically located in the Holy Land, the benefit of His sacrificial ministry will come to everybody ...
This verse has often been misunderstood. Some think it means that Christ's work on the cross was insufficient to achieve salvation. Not so. The sacrificial work of the Lord Jesus Christ was complete, perfect and sufficient to pay for all the sin of the world (Hebrews 10:12-14). So, what does this verse mean?
Paul was commissioned to proclaim what had previously been a mystery. During all the Old Testament period, God was preparing His people for the arrival of Jesus (Deuteronomy 18:15). The laws showed them what pleased and angered God, and the sacrifices provided temporary permission to worship God (Hebrews 10:1-4). But nothing was permanent or complete until Jesus came to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world (Hebrews 10:11-14).
God's plan of salvation was shrouded in mystery until Jesus came (Ephesians 3:8-12). It was a half-understood secret which the Israelites thought was exclusive for them alone. God, was their God; and they thought that He would only speak to them; even though He had already told Abraham that 'all peoples on earth will be blessed through you' (Genesis 12:3). But part of the 'mystery of salvation', was that salvation through the death of Christ would be for all, Jews and Gentiles alike (Ephesians 3:6).
Religious faith was part of the Roman Empire. Polytheism thrived, giving space for everybody to adhere to one or more deities. Religious oratory was a major spectator event and enabled Paul to get a public hearing.
Paul was writing from a Roman prison, shackled to chains (Colossians 4:3). He is writing to congregations he did not personally know (Colossae, Hierapolis and Laodicea – Colossians 4:13) but he knew of their faith from Epaphras (Colossians 4:12) who was a fellow prisoner for the sake of Jesus (Philemon 1:23). Their work was to pray for the churches, which they did in great detail and with much energy (Colossians 1:3-13; Colossians 4:12).
To some people, the Apostle Paul's lifestyle made no sense. His struggles and suffering seemed a waste (2 Corinthians 6:4-10): so, he set the record straight. He was willing to sacrifice so much for the sake of Jesus, because Jesus had sacrificed everything for him and the church. And Paul had been personally commissioned by Jesus to reveal the treasures of God which come through Jesus (Acts 9:15-16), and to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29).
Many lies are attractive, especially religious lies. Indeed, every idea about God which does not accept the Son of God as Creator, Sustainer, Ruler, Saviour and Judge - is a deception (2 John 1:7). Nevertheless, history is littered with theistic inventions which exclude, marginalise or alter the character of Christ. That was the background to the Apostle Paul's ministry; and is the context in which the church proclaims Christ today.
The gospel is clear: the only way to God's presence is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). But if He is the way in, why do so many Christians not go on in Christ? Some are glad to grasp God's grace and forgiveness, but then fail to grow spiritually. Others start in grace but soon make their faith an exercise in legalism. Still others are swept away by ideas of living a more comfortable life. Jesus’ parable of the Sower uncovers the reason why God’s Word may not grow in many hearts (Luke 8:4-15).
The gospel is attractive to spiritually hungry people, and all those who submit to Christ receive forgiveness, are adopted as God’s children into His family where they start a new life (Acts 26:17-18). But these spiritual infants are vulnerable (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). They need to be protected (Acts 20:28). Paul knew that spiritual predators are always nearby waiting for an opportunity to hijack young believers (2 Peter 3:17). So, he warns the church not to be moved away from Christ as their only hope.
