Colossians 1:28 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with
all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ”.
Finishing up this short
Bible Study in the book of Colossians, This lesson points out that addressing a
congregation that struggled with false teachers who promoted elitism, the
apostle Paul has been unafraid to stress that the gospel is for everyone.
Instead of a message that bears fruit only among the most educated or most
spiritual, the true gospel finds adherents the world over. It will achieve a
cosmic restoration, for nothing can go untouched by the Savior’s work.
Furthermore, if these statements of the universality of the gospel and the
sufficiency of the Savior are not enough, Paul tells us that his ministry is to
proclaim Christ, “warning everyone and
teaching everyone with all wisdom.” Jesus is not to be proclaimed to a mere
few — He must be preached to everyone.
The lesson goes on to say
that warning and teaching are the two sides to the apostle’s work. The warning
aspect of Christian proclamation entails admonishing professing believers who
are tempted to stray from the faith. Following the apostolic model, we exhort
others, whether or not we are ordained pastors, to hold fast to the biblical
Jesus in all circumstances. Teaching sets forth Christian truth to edify the
body of Christ. All believers have a share in the teaching ministry. Some may
be ordained to the teaching office, but all believers, in whom Christ’s Word
dwells richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, at least
informally. Likewise, we must readily hear instruction in the Word of God at
all times and throughout our entire lives. No one is so eminent in respect of
wisdom as to be entitled to exempt himself from instruction.
Paul — indeed all Christians
— work to present “everyone mature in
Christ” — equipped and ready to fulfill the specific work that the Father
has given to each of us. This can be a toil and a struggle, as any full-time
preacher would readily confess. But the work of Christian instruction is indeed
difficult for us all, for even if our children are our only students, it can be
discouraging to instruct them again and again when it seems that they are just
not understanding Jesus and who they are to be in Him. Thankfully, like Paul,
we have been empowered by the Spirit and will receive the strength necessary to
endure in teaching His truth as we rely on Him.
God
calls all of us to take part in the teaching ministry of the church, though not
all of us have the same role. Some will be ordained teachers. Others will help
their children memorize Scripture. There are a variety of ways to advance the
proclamation of the gospel. What are you doing to further the church’s teaching
ministry and proclaim Christ?
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