The Book of Colossians: Is Jesus Enough?Sample

Is Jesus enough for your salvation?

Recently, I was totally duped into believing a fake news article about a supposed archaeological find claiming to hold records of an eyewitness account of one of Jesus’ miracles. Maybe you’re more cynical and less gullible than me, but we all run the risk of allowing fake news to confuse us and distract us from the good news of Jesus. This is the issue Paul tackles in Colossians 1:24–2:23.

First, Paul gives us a short autobiographical account of his ministry. He’s writing to the Colossians from prison, and he makes it clear that he’s willing to suffer all kinds of hardship for the sake of ensuring these fellow believers come to a full understanding of God’s truth.

Next, Paul deals with the fake news circulating about Jesus, reaffirming the truth that the good news is not a system, course, ritual, or new religion. It’s a message about being reconciled to God through relationship with Jesus. N.T. Wright says, “Christianity is Christ. Put Him in the middle of the picture of the world, and the world will stop spinning in incomprehensible circles and begin to make sense. Find Him and you’ve got the treasure. He is quite simply what it’s all about.” Paul gives us two incredible implications of our new life in Christ: “Christ in you… the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27–28). Not only is Jesus with us; He’s in us! And we get to live with the hope of wonderful things ahead—eternity with Him.

We don’t know for sure what kind of false teaching was being spread in the Colossian church, but it was something along the lines of: Jesus is a solid start, but He’s not enough. Paul desperately wants the Colossians to be free of legalism and to understand their completeness in Christ, so he explains to them that they don’t have to do more good things or fewer bad things to prove themselves worthy of salvation. Both religiosity (legalism or rule-keeping) and moralism promise that outward change will bring inward transformation. But you don’t ever need to—you simply can’t!—add to the finished work of Christ. The amazing thing about the gospel is that it’s not transactional; it’s relational and transformational. Not only are we reconciled to God through faith in Jesus, but because of our relationship with Jesus, we become people with a strong desire to honor God with every aspect of our lives.

God’s gift of salvation leads to a love that never abandons you, a joy unchanged by life’s circumstances, a peace that seeps deep into your soul, a clear conscience in spite of past misdemeanors, a character that progressively seeks to bring hope and justice to the world, and a mind able to dream big for the Kingdom. No matter how dark or difficult this life may become, no matter what sickness or strife you may face, what ridicule or disgrace you may experience, there is always Christ in you, the hope of glory. Jesus is enough.