Central

---

RENew

Ce ntra l PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2d0d1d4

Lesson 3 | Are You Believing the Gospel? Bible Text: Colossians 1:3-14

Commentary

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace

I like being complimented, how about you? Affirmation and encouragement can feed our souls with joy and strength. At the same time, affirmation and encouragement can feed the idol in our heart that craves the approval of others. What is the best way to affirm and encourage a fellow believer? God’s method, as expressed through the heart and pen of Paul, is astounding.

the gospel...is bearing

Clearly, the apostle is affirming the faith of these Colossian believers when he states: “we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus” (vs. 4). It is very important that we make the distinction here between “justifying faith” and “sanctifying faith.” The former is described as an initial “receiving” of the gospel and involves turning from sin and turning toward Christ for one’s salvation. Sanctifying faith is an ongoing walk with Christ that is evidenced by visible fruit in the life of the believer. In these verses, Paul lists six particular evidences that confirm that a believer is walking in the truth of the gospel.

3

fruit and growing

of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (emphasis mine) 9

Affirmation

First, gospel faith produces love for God’s people: “we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints” (Colossians 1:4). The apostle John, in his first letter, puts this in the strongest possible terms: If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. (I John 4:20-21) 20

page

1

The second evidence of the gospel in the life of Learning to Write With the Opposite Hand the believer is “it is bearing fruit and growing—as Our flesh (sinfulness and selfishness), apart it also does among you, since the day you heard it from the work of the Spirit, is our natural and understood the grace of God in truth” (1:6). default setting. It is the “muscle memory” of The gospel is not merely a mental assent to an our thoughts and feelings. Like picking up a pen evangelical set of doctrines. It is life- changing every time we need to write, we always, without and constantly “bearing fruit and growing.” thinking, favor our writing These two verbs are present hand. It would take great participles, which means intentionality and involve The love of the Spirit they describe an ongoing a high level of insecurity action in the life of the is counter-carnal and to retrain ourselves to Christian. Note also that counter-cultural and gives write with our opposite the gospel is defined here as hand. Similarly, the gospel for the sake of giving with having “understood the grace teaches us to “write with our of God in truth” (1:7). no expectation or demand opposite hand.” We identify of return The third evidence Paul and reject the natural cites is referred to as “your impulses of our hearts (selflove in the Spirit” (1:8). It interest, self-protection, selfis no mystery that Paul teaches that love is the advancement, etc.) and yield to the Spirit, who greatest of the trinity of virtues in the life of moves us to do that which is both unnatural and the believer (I Corinthians 13) and that he lists supernatural (Philippians 2:12-13). love as the first “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians The fifth evidence of the power of the gospel at 5:22). Notice that this love is not the kind of work in our lives is that we “walk in a manner shallow sentimentalism produced by the unaided worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing human heart. Rather, it is the result of the fruit in every good work and increasing in powerful work of “the Spirit” (1:8). Carnal love the knowledge of God” (vs. 10). Clearly, this is ultimately rooted in our heart’s commitment describes a transformed life that is birthed by to self-interest. The love of the Spirit is countera transformed heart. Simply put, we long to be carnal and counter-cultural and gives for the fully “pleasing in his [Christ’s] sight” (see Hebrews sake of giving with no expectation or demand of 13:20-21). Note also that this spiritual growth is return (Luke 6:32,35). referred to as “bearing fruit in every good work.” The fourth evidence of the power of the Jesus tells us that the secret to bearing such fruit gospel at work in our lives is that we are “filled doesn’t lie in trying harder but rather in abiding with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual (believing) in him (John 15:1-5). Notice, too, wisdom and understanding” (1:9). We seek that the gospel-empowered believer is never to intentionally and consistently “not lean on smugly satisfied with his/her level of spiritual your own understanding” but “In all your ways knowledge and growth but rather is “increasing acknowledge him,” knowing that as we do so “he in the knowledge of God.” will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Finally, Paul adds yet further evidences of the We must grow to distrust and closely examine gospel-driven life: “May you be strengthened with our spontaneous, natural response to people, all power, according to his glorious might, for all circumstances, or adversity because our fleshly endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks responses are so deeply ingrained in our hearts. to the Father” (1:11-12). Power, endurance, This is why Paul reminds us that we must “not patience, joy, and gratitude are further be conformed to this world, but be transformed by supernatural evidences of the work of the Spirit the renewal of your mind, that . . . you may discern in the gospel-revived heart. what is the will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

RENew 2d0d1d4

page

2

What if I don’t measure up to this high standard?

And so, for the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 9

As you read these six evidences of a vibrant faith, do you read them as law to judge or as fruit to encourage you? Is there a gap between these fruits and your actual experience? Do you struggle with the chronic conviction that you “don’t measure up”? If When we read this text, the so, then “Cheer up––you are default setting of our hearts In the gospel, you are worse than you think, and can easily (i.e., naturally) already pleasing to God. the gospel is better than you interpret these words as: know” (Jack Miller). Gospel “Paul prays for us that we joy comes from the heart of the humble who is would be better Christians and please God with constantly seeing, naming, and repenting of his/ our obedience.” Although there is a measure her sin. Truly, we all fall short, but, by gospel of truth in that interpretation, it misses the grace, we are constantly being loved and crafted mark. Of course the Lord wants us to discern for his glory. his will and walk in a manner that pleases him, “bearing fruit in every good work and increasing When we ask the question “Are you believing the in the knowledge of God.” The question is not gospel?,” we are not asking if you are a Christian. the goal of obedience but rather the motivation Rather, we are asking if, in your day-to-day life and power to live obediently. Where does that filled with challenges, failures, successes, and motivation and power come from? How can it be disappointments, you are really trusting in sustained? What should we do when it falters? Christ? A typical evangelical response might suggest For example, let us imagine that you have something like this: “God loved you and saved miserably failed someone you love. You go to the you. You owe him your life. You need to show Lord in prayer and ask for his forgiveness. Then God that you love him and are grateful to him, you go to the offended person acknowledging and you do this by your obedience. When you your sin and asking their forgiveness (which they disobey or don’t live up to his standard, repent freely grant). However, you have a nagging sense and try again––harder; eventually you may get to of shame that robs you of your joy and drains you the point that you are “fully pleasing to Him.” of your energy. If so, are you really believing the gospel at that point? Do you believe that your Again, we see a speck of truth but a log of a lie, guilt and shame are gone? To continue to carry and we must ask God to remove that log from it is to deny that Christ has forgiven you and that the eye of our heart. In the gospel, you are you are fully righteous in his sight. already pleasing to God. That is your standing, your status, and your position in Christ. Notice Gospel Motivation that the phrase “pleasing to God” has a very significant context: “walk in a manner worthy In verses 3-8, then, we see clearly how the Lord of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him.” Paul here brings encouragement and affirmation to these describes our lifestyle, not our identity. Of Colossian believers. Now, in verses 9-14, we course we want to live in a way that pleases God. discover how he spurs them on to further love The question is this: and good works. Do I live a life that pleases God and, thereby, First, Paul reminds them that he is praying for become pleasing to God? OR them and that his prayer has a very specific Am I already pleasing to God and, thereby, live content and objective: a life that is pleasing to him?

RENew 2d0d1d4

page

3

The first answer is “writing with your natural hand.” It is the default setting of our hearts. In essence it states: “My performance is the basis of my acceptance.” In the gospel, the order is reversed: “My acceptance (in Christ) is the basis of my performance (for Christ).” After encouraging the spiritual growth of the Colossian believers (verses 3-8) and reminding them to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him” (verse 10), Paul then reveals the source and strength to walk in this way:

Years ago Dr. Jack Miller asked the question: “What one thing do you need to do to become a better Christian?” The common answer typically sounded something like this: Study Scripture more, have a better quiet time, tithe, share the gospel with others, get past a sinful habit, love others better, etc.

RENew

May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 11

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)

What a wonderful summary of the gospel! If Paul is writing to mature and fruitful believers, why would he remind them of the gospel that they already know? Because the key to godly living is gospel believing. The foundation of a life of obedience is a life of believing. The essence of the Christian lifestyle is believing that we are already loved, already “qualified . . . to share in the inheritance of the saints in light,” already “delivered,” already “transferred,” already redeemed, and already forgiven. We do not perform to be accepted. We are already accepted in Christ, therefore we “perform” in a way that honors him.

What do all of those answers have in common? Are they not all related to the issue of performance? Again, they may have a grain of truth––but they miss the gospel truth. To be a “better Christian,” I need to believe more! “Believing More”

When asking the question, “Are you believing the gospel?,” we might express it by asking these three questions:

First, are you believing WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR YOU? Do you believe that his death and resurrection (things that he has already done, often referred to as “the finished work of Christ”) have delivered you from your guilt and shame? When struggling with shame, are you believing Colossians 1:13-14; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 4:1416; and a host of other texts like these?

2d0d1d4

Other Pauline epistles follow this same strategy of affirming that our standing in Christ is the basis of our living for Christ:

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. (Romans 6:22)

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called . . . . (Ephesians 4:1) page 4

Second, are you believing WHAT CHRIST SAYS ABOUT YOU? There are only four choices in life when it comes to defining our identity. We can define ourselves, we can let others define us, we can let the devil define us, or we can let the gospel define us. The first three options all end in tragic failure. If we, others, or the devil define us with praise for our successes, we fall prey to pride. If we, others, or the devil define us with judgment for our failures, we are driven to shame. Only the voice of Christ must be heard in this regard. He tells us that we are his beloved children (I John 3:1); that we are righteous (Philippians. 3:7-10);

that I have been sealed by his Spirit (Ephesians 1:13); and many other identity-defining statements.

Third, are you believing WHAT CHRIST PROMISES TO YOU? Are you feeling anxious about your financial future? Are you believing his promise in Matthew 6:25-34? Are you feeling lonely and abandoned? Are you believing his promise in Hebrews 13:5? Are you feeling overwhelmed and discouraged by the pressures of life? Are you believing Romans 8:28? Examples abound in this regard. Jack Miller wisely taught: “The Christian lives by promises, not appearances.”

ADULTS: What else do you look to for selfdefinition (job success, wealth, esteem of others, community recognition, church service, etc.)? What has this produced in you? How does the gospel offer you real freedom from this trap of being held hostage to the opinions of others?

3. A lifestyle of believing the gospel involves trusting Christ in three specific ways cited above (what he has done for you, what he says about you, what he promises to you). In which of the three do you tend to trust consistently? With which of the three do you tend to struggle most frequently?

RENew

In summary, the gospel is rooted in the person and work of Christ, and that work on the cross (past) continues in our lives (present) and extends into our future. We can trust him. He loves us. Discussion Questions and Action Points

1. In what way, if any, is your understanding of “believing the gospel” expanding beyond your initial reception of Christ for salvation?

4. Practical exercise: Choose a daily habit that you perform which favors either your left or right hand (writing, shaving, holding a phone, etc.). For a period of one week, perform that daily task using your opposite hand. After completing this assignment, write below what the Lord has taught you about daily believing the gospel of his great love for you.

2d0d1d4

2. Of the four options cited above in terms of whom we allow to define us, which one is most dominant in your life?

PARENTS: How are you assisting your children to come to a Christ-based identity? Are you placing excessive demands upon them to perform academically, athletically, or socially which feed the idol of being defined by what others (including parents) think rather than by what Jesus says? TEENS: Studies on teenagers often site that the opinion of peers is the most powerful force in determining your self-identity. Is this true for you? If so, what does it produce in you? What voice could/should you be listening to in this regard? What difference would it make if you really allowed Christ to define you?

page

5

5. What do you think it would mean for Central Presbyterian Church to “write with the opposite hand”? That is, are there any chronic habits that we have as a congregation that the Lord desires to change in us? If so, what are they? If so, will you pray about your concern and then share your thoughts with an elder of our church?

Suggested Prayer Father of truth and light, before whom every thought is seen and every motive exposed, grant me greater faith to believe the gospel of your great love for me. When I am fearful, help me to believe that you are with me. When I am angry, help me to believe that you are working out your purposes in my life. When I am prideful, remind me that apart from you I am nothing and I have nothing. Lord, I trust you for eternal life in heaven. Help me to trust you for temporal life here on earth. May your word and Spirit so fill my heart and mind that I––daily––believe what you have done for me, what you say about me, and what you promise to me. In the name of Jesus I ask this. Amen

RENew 2d0d1d4

page

6