The Gospel is Hidden for paper

In my last column we looked at a few verses from Colossians 1. In this column we will look at five more verses. And as last week these concepts will be familiar for those who follow my columns regularly. In these verses we see that the gospel is something that is a hidden mystery that is disclosed to the saints. And it is God who choses who become Christians and who opens the eyes of our hearts to receive and understand the message of reconciliation. We need have no fear of failure when we witness our faith to others.

“I have become its (the church’s’) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1: 25 – 27

What this is saying is made plain in 1Corinthians. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,” 1 Corinthians 1: 18a and  “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2: 14

Non Christians cannot understand the gospel unless the Holy Spirit opens their eyes. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day”. John 6:44 and “He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.”  John 6:65  This is important to understand when we witness our faith to others. It is not our job to convert them to Christianity. It is our job to bring the message of reconciliation to them. It is God who chooses whose eyes and ears are opened to the message of the gospel. “You did not choose me, but I chose you.”  John 15:16a and “But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.” Mark 13:20b

You may wonder how does God chose? Look at the following three verses. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Luke 10:22 and For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.  John 5:21 and “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. John 9:15

The best answer we can give is “Sovereign grace”. Grace is God undeserved love or favor shown to us. God, as our creator, exercises supreme power and authority over his creation. This is a difficult concept for us who have lived our whole lives in a democracy where everyone is equal. Think of the supreme power and authority as a king like Nebuchadnezzar had over his subjects. Fortunately for us God uses that supreme power and authority in his grace and chooses as one who knows all things. Notice also in John 9:15 your desire is not a factor!!

So we do not fail if we witness our faith and the person does not respond favorably, rather we have done everything we can do. The rest is up to God. We are wholly successful if we witness our faith to others. Some are hesitant to witness their faith for fear that they will fail. The success of the witness is not up to them. We need have no fear of failure in witnessing our faith. We are wholly successful each time we witness our faith.

And so we should all follow the example of Paul. “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1: 28 & 29

Blessings