Colossians 1:3-7
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
The message of the gospel never fails to stir up a person. The reason Christianity has been growing by leaps and bounds is because of the faith and love that is stored up in the message of the gospel.
Colossians 1:12-14
12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The gospel message shows to me that Christ did it all. Christ loves, saves, qualifies, rescues, forgives, redeems and transforms me. No added requirements on my side.
I was having dinner with a non-Christian and she said the reason she doesn’t want to go to church is because she feels condemned every time she visits the church. She feels like she has no right to enter the kingdom of God because of her sin.
I said the reason I go to church is because I am condemned but Christ took my condemnation. I have no right to enter the kingdom of God but He gave me the right to become a child of God by dying on the cross for my sins. When He cried, IT IS FINISHED – after the torture, slaughter and the humiliation he cries to God – He was saying I have done everything for you my son.
The difference between RELIGION and GOSPEL
RELIGION IS SPELLED DO. GOSPEL IS SPELLED DONE.
Because of what Christ did at the cross I no longer have to work my way to heaven and his favor. He has qualified me, I am a partaker of the inheritance, he rescued me, brought me, redeemed me and forgave me. What great love!!!!