Scripture | “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” Colossians 1:29
Observation | The two greatest errors in the church pertain to either our activity or our passivity. Both seem to lead to heaven, but lead to damnation. On the one side there should be passivity, but in error some add activity to a man’s justification before God (being made just in the eyes of God). This error believes that a man who is spiritually dead can actively contribute to a new life in Jesus (Eph 2:1-10). As if a man who had drowned could assist his rescuer to bring him back to life. As we can see, this is impossible. Concerning justification, this error is deceptively damnable, and sends people to hell while they think they are on the path to heaven (Matt 7:13-14).
Justification is a legal term that could be used in a courtroom setting. To be justified is when we ought to be declared guilty before the Divine all-knowing Judge, we are instead declared just. This declaration is only possible because Jesus took our guilty verdict and punishment on Himself on the cross. We receive this payment when we trust in Jesus work and stop trying to do it on our own, which we cannot. Why? Because if we attempt to earn the declaration of just (free of sin) by our own doing, we will always fail (Rom 3:10-18). So, if we attempt to add our works or any activity to our salvation, we actually reveal to God that we do not trust Jesus payment was enough for our sins (Col 2:14; 1 Jn 1:9). Such insulting error to God, makes Him a liar and claims that the gift of forgiveness and grace was not free gift, but instead earned and deserved (Rom 6:23; 11:6).
He who deceives himself in this way, thinks through activity he can earn a not-guilty declaration. This is really deceptive pride. Such a man thinks he can be self-justified. No one can actively earn their life when they are dead (Eph 2:1-10). So, our first lesson is that our being made just in the eyes of God (justification), is a completely passive act done for us. We must agree with scripture on this and stand firm on it or it is likely we are not truly saved at all. Adding our activity to Jesus work of forgiveness is blaspheme, heretical and damnable. Yet, this one error has been present among those who claim Christ since the beginning.
On the other side is what ought to be activity, in error some cling their passivity in justification to their life of growth in holiness (sanctification). We are no longer dead and passive! We have new life The second great error of many modern so-called Christians in two to call for passivity for those who have been given life. I said we find in Scripture the one made a live when he was passive death is now alive and active in his pursuit of godliness, obedience, and ministry. These are biblical and right doctrines. Passive justification and active sanctification. Dead because of sin, but alive because of Jesus. Yet some in damnable error add our activity where it out not to be (justification) and take it away from where it ought to be (sanctification). Both errors destroy the work of Jesus and lead to hell (James 2:20-26).
In our verse today (Col 1:29) Paul calls us down the path of active sanctification. He “labors” and “strives,” while some in error will tell you to stop “laboring” or “cease striving.” Now, those are great exhortations, so long as they apply to someone attempting to add activity to justification. However, if “cease striving” is applied to Christian living (those who are no longer dead) it is a damnable teaching, just as self-justification is. Why? Because those who say such things regarding sanctification command one who has been made alive by Jesus Christ to act as if they are dead. This is insane, unless you are a murderer and then you belong in both an insane asylum and a prison.
Yet, here we find a popular and common teaching today. Passivity towards holiness. Stop laboring, regarding obedience. Many advocate for a “ceasing striving” and “just rest in Jesus,” instead of actively pursuing the already challenging path of obedience to God’s Word with its stark contrasts to the ways of the flesh and the world.
Why is such a teaching popular today? Because lawlessness has increased (Matt 24:12). Because the church has fallen for “ministry philosophies” that teach us to befriend the world (James 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15) in an attempt to make the lost comfortable within the assembly of the believers. Passivity, a dead approach to spiritual growth in holiness, fits the message of the modern church well as it tries to welcome those who live lawlessly. Oddly, as we seen more and more church doors close, most are blind to the error of this damnable man-made approach.
A few weeks back, talking with some un-churched and unbelievers in the warehouse I work at, they called our topic a “gimmicky” approach in the church. They expressed a desire for a bold truth in the church that stands against the tide of lawlessness in our day. They saw through the marketing tactics with disgust. True seekers are not avoiding the church because it makes them uncomfortable, but because it actually tries to make them comfortable. “Do nothing” the church says along with the culture that cries “you be you.” Those seeking truth can see right through the error and lies.
Application | Lets stand strong against the errors that lead souls to hell deceptively which says we can do anything to receive justification and forgiveness. It is purely by Grace alone and by His activity alone. Which is why it is to His glory alone.
Lets also join Paul with his sane, good and right teaching. Lets actively “labor” and “strive” for the “purpose” of making men “complete in Christ.” Complete is the idea of perfection, or maturity. We do not finish the race of such completion until we are fully glorified in Christ. Yet, like with maturity, this active growth and progress is for God’s glory in our lives and others. Let us labor and strive for such a God honoring purpose with intentionality and activity today.
Prayer | Father, through Your Son You have given me life! I praise You that I am no longer dead. By the power of Your spirit working in me increase my striving and my labor for Your glory in my life and all those around me. For You and for Your glory alone. Amen
