In Colossians 1:23 the apostle is speaking about the importance of the followers of Christ continuing in the faith and not being “moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven.” We understand these last words to be a Hebraism meaning the whole human race, the gospel having reached its two major divisions, Jew and Gentile, and apparently having been preached in every Country known at that time, rather than to say that every person alive had heard it; there were likely still many who needed to hear, as there are still today. Jesus’ command was to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15, and “Make disciples of all nations” Matthew 28:19; see the end result of this in Revelation 7:9-10. Here in our text verse along with Colossians 3:1-4 the focus is on those who have heard the gospel, not just with physical ears but with the ears of their spirit and have responded to the message, receiving Christ as Lord and Savior, that they would “continue in the faith … not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” That is to be established and deep rooted in the faith of Christ that they, and we, not focus on the things around us, but set our mind on higher and heavenly things, having died to the old life, now clothed with Christ we live in such a manner that when He appears we will be transformed into His glory. Have you heard the gospel with your spiritual ears and responded to Jesus? To do so is the only way to partake of the hope of the gospel, the only hope of a glorious future.
Good news
By Rose Hill
The good news of the gospel we must preach,
To all the earth its message must reach.
God’s salvation is for all mankind,
Who seek eternal things and find;
When they set their mind on things above,
Then they will realize God’s perfect love.
Christ came to earth to suffer here,
So in glory with Him we can appear.
This is the hope we have today,
When all our sins are washed away.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.