The Good News … It’s the Gospel Truth!

You have already heard about (the hope that is stored up for you in heaven) in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.

Colossians 1:5-6

The year was A.D.62, the city Rome, the apostle Paul confined to his own rented house, chained to the royal guard. But that didn’t stop him one bit: Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:30) to all who came to see him. Timothy was with him (Colossians 1:1), Mark (4:10) and Luke as well (4:14). Epaphras, founder of the church in Colosse, had brought him news of that church (1:7), the very news which prompted Paul to write this letter.

The reputation of the Colossians for their faith in Jesus and their love of the saints (Colossians 1:4) was commendable. Still, they needed to be wary of the “hollow and deceptive philosophies” that were threatening to take them captive (2:8). These dear folks were being told such things as: Christ was not fully divine nor fully sufficient for their salvation; circumcision was necessary; special enlightenment set you apart; religious festivals and angel worship were the key; ascetism (self-flagellation) was the essence of humility (Colossians 2:8-23). A mere twenty-five years from Jesus’ resurrection, heresy had crept in.

And heresy is raising its ugly head today: there are many paths to heaven; God is dead; it’s only tissue, not a baby. Truth is no longer absolute but relative to the moment, never mind the time of the judges when “everyone did as he saw fit” (Judges 21:25).

But we know differently. You cannot add to nor subtract from truth. I love this quote:

Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth,

but by washing away from it all that is not gold.

—Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

It’s the gospel truth that we base our faith on. The Colossians had heard the message of hope in the word of truth, the gospel. Paul wanted them to know, without a doubt, that they could hang their hats on this basic truth: you have been given fullness in Christ… having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead (Colossians 2:10,12).

Truth is truth. As God alone is good (Luke 18:19), news is really only that good when it’s the gospel truth!

Nancy P