(Colossians 1:21-23 ESV) And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 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, 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.
It is so easy, in the face of difficulty, to shift our focus from hope to despair.
Remember the Israelites? God delivered them from the bondage of the Egyptians by pushing back the Red Sea and providing a dry pathway to freedom. He provided divine guidance by placing a cloud in the sky by day and a pillar of fire by night. The miraculous provision of fresh manna brought necessary nutrition to their bodies. The clothes and shoes they wore were divinely designed to last for years–they simply would not wear out! But, having tasted of these miracles from God’s hand, they complained, and asked to return to the land of bondage. They shifted from the hope.
Are we guilty of the same thing? We’ve experienced great blessings, but are often tempted to shift our mind from hope to despair. Paul warns the church at Colossae of this danger. He makes it very clear that it is possible to abandon hope.
We have the right to choose to receive or reject the blessings that come as a result of abiding with Christ.
The payoff to being faithful is that Christ will, “present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” My friend, instead of shifting away from hope, lean in. Remain stable and steadfast. This is the better option!
PRAYER: Father, thank you for providing the power to be faithful. Regardless of the circumstances, the better option is to always trust you. Because of Your help, I will not shift from the hope of the Gospel. Amen!
Thinking Out Loud 