The Paradox of Salvation

Colossians 2:6-20

Good Evening

It is such an honor to be in house of the Lord today.

Thank you pastor for allowing me to come here tonight and speak.

Thank you church for allowing me and my family to visit here every once in a while.

Thank you for the love and the hospitality that you have shown us over the years.

It truly does mean a lot.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to stand up here and proclaim the word of God.

The word of the one true God.

I believe that we as Christian’s should have a deep love for the word of God.

We should have a desire to dig in and to study the word.

A love for the word is a topic that I have personally dealt with in my Christian walk.

Its an issue wherein I must continue to be sanctified or set apart in.

We must love the Word because it is of our master.

If we are a genuine believer, than we must understand that this book is our guideline on how to live in this fallen world.

A book that contains truth itself.

We must grow to love our holy scriptures.

If you will, turn in your Bibles to the book of Colossians.

Colossians is one of my favorite books of the entire Bible.

In this book, the Apostle Paul goes into much detail about the deity of Jesus Christ.

He states that Christ is God and that true salvation can only come by Him.

But, before I get ahead of my self please flip to chapter two.

Colossians chapter number 2.

We will begin reading in verse number 6.

Colossians 2:6–23 (KJV 1900): 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

I believe that in this passage of text we can see an interesting aspect of scripture that I believe needs to be discussed.

Here in Colossians chapter 2 we can see what I have been calling the paradox of salvation.

But, what exactly is a paradox?

According to good ole Merriam Webster, a paradox “is a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true”

Remember that definition.

We are going to need that information in just a few moments.

In this message, I would like to speak about the paradox of salvation in Colossians 2 and how we as Christian’s should go about that understanding.

But before that let’s go to the Lord in a word or prayer.

As mentioned earlier, the book of Colossians is one of my favorite books in the Bible.

When I truly began to study this book and the message that it contains, I understood the significance of this book far greater than I did before.

The book of Colossians was written at a time when Paul was being held in prison.

He was held in prison due to his outgoing stand for Christ and his refusal to reject his calling.

He refused to reject his calling because he had an encounter with the caller.

What do I mean?

Paul had an experience with one who was different than the rest.

If you will flip back a page or two in your bibles and go to Colossians chapter 1.

When it comes to the understanding of the paradox of salvation, it is absolutely critical for us to understand the one that is committing the salvific work in the first place.

Verse 15 of chapter 1 says,

Colossians 1:15–29 (KJV 1900): Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

In this passage of scripture we see an in depth analysis of that very savior that Paul had an encounter with.

Please remember this point, the paradox of salvation is meaningless without first understanding the savior.

But what exactly does the text say about this savior?

Colossians 1:15 (KJV 1900): Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

This is referring to Jesus the Christ.

The messiah himself.

He is the firstborn of every creature.

This simply means that he is the firstborn of all creation.

He is the creator because he is God.

Verse 16 says, Colossians 1:16 (KJV 1900): For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

The messiah, Christ, is the creator.

All things were made by him.

Jesus Christ is not one of many lesser gods.

He is coequal within the triune Godhead.

Catch this next part though.

What does the latter part of this verse say?

All things were made by him, and for him.

For him.

By him being coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the same outcome will be granted to Christ.

He will be worshipped and glorified throughout all of eternity.

His church will bring him glory and through the damnation of wretched sinners, through that, Christ will be glorified.

He is before all things and by him all things consist.

The purpose of creation is to do just that.

Through formation of the world and the creation of all that is in it or around it, the Lord, Christ is glorified.

When we often think of God getting the glory over creation, do we really consider Christ receiving that glory?

We should, because He is the Creator.

Verse 18 and 19 state, Colossians 1:18–19 (KJV 1900): And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

The plan of God in everything, the perfect plan of God, is not a new thing.

It has been preordained.

The father is pleased that the fullness of the church belongs to Christ.

Christ is the head of the church, and through him being the head, the father is pleased.

Glory is given to the Father through the salvation of His Church

Glory is given to the Son through the salvation of His Church

And glory is given to the Holy Spirit through the salvation of His Church

Glory is to be given to the one true God of scripture.

The Messiah, the Savior is revealed in this portion of text.

Look to verse 20

In verse 20, the text says, Colossians 1:20 (KJV 1900): And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Examining this text, we must acknowledge the sufficiency of the Savior and the success of His sacrifice.

Verse 20 says that through the atonement of Christ, through Him, all things are reconciled to Himself.

The sacrifice of the savior has been accepted.

Because of it being accepted, it has the intended effect.

John 6:39 and 40 says John 6:39–40 (KJV 1900): And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

All that the Father has given to Christ, will accept the message of Christ, and because of that changing that will happen in the life of this person, they will be brought up with Christ on the last day.

He will lose nothing.

The message of the cross, and the message of the gospel is sufficient to save all that the Father has given to the Son.

It is successful.

It will come to pass.

This should give comfort to the Christian that if we have truly been saved by the grace of an almighty God, there is nothing that we could do to lose that grace.

If there is nothing that I could do to earn the grace, how could I lose the grace?

Look now in verse 21.

The text says Colossians 1:21 (KJV 1900): And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Because of our deadness due to our sin, we have been alienated from God and the things that are considered to be godly.

Due to the first human being, Adam, being our federal head, we have been separated from God.

There is no peace for the unbeliever And that is because the wrath of God is abiding on the unbeliever. (Romans 1:18)

We are born with a sin nature where we as individuals have the motive to do that which pleases us and is totally against the holiness of God.

Only through Christ reconciling us to Him, can we be made in right standing with God.

Christ must become our new federal head.

He must become our Savior.

By Him is the only means of finding true and eternal salvation.

To understand the purpose or meaning of salvation, one must understand the uniqueness of the Savior.

This must be understood first. Without a sufficient understanding of the Savior, one cannot see the paradox of biblical salvation.

If you will, look in Chapter 2 of Colossians.

Look at verse 6.

Verse 6 says Colossians 2:6 (KJV 1900): As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Prior to verse 6, Paul writes to the church at Colossae and tries to encourage them in the faith.

He writes to them in a way where he strengthens them in their faith.

In verse 6 Paul commands the church to persevere in the faith.

They are to walk in Christ, as they have received Him.

Do that which is pleasing to God in all aspects of life.

In verse 7, the apostle Paul declares to the church to be rooted, built up, and established in the saving faith of Christ.

Christ and His word is a strong foundation that may face the dangerous winds of the world, but it will not waiver or fail.

He is immutable and His word is perfect.

In a world that Revolves around subjective morality, stand firm on objective truth.

In a world that revolves around the sinking sand of sin and despair, stand firm on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ, the only Savior that has come to seek and save the lost.

Look down to verse 9.

This is a verse that I believe is very important to the Christian.

Colossians 2:9 (KJV 1900): For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Why is this verse so important?

what’s the significance of this small little verse?

Its simple.

This verse shows the uniqueness of Christ.

Colossians 2:9 tells us that within the person of Christ, there dwells complete deity.

He is God incarnate. He is God in flesh.

He is able to make the change in ones life because he is God.

Verse 10 says that He is the ruler of all principalities and powers.

Simply put, he is the head over all rule and authority.

In verse 13 we see one of the two main parts of the salvific paradox.

Colossians 2:13 (KJV 1900): And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

When the text says, He has quickened us together with Christ, it simply means that He has made us ALIVE in Him.

When we are quickened together with Christ, the deadness of our flesh and spirit is transformed to a living creature.

While we were dead in sin, Christ has bridged the gap between a wretched sinner and a holy God.

As 1 John explains Christ is our Advocate.

Colossians 2:14 explains to us that Christ Himself has taken away our ordinance which is attained by sin and has nailed that to His cross.

Think about that very statement.

The words that Paul uses describe an earned or achieved certificate.

A certificate of death.

When we were dead in our sins, we pressed on and got better in our sins, leaving us a certificate of achievement.

While being the corpse that we were, we earned something.

We earned exactly what we deserved.

Yet, the verse goes on to state that Christ, upon our conversion takes our ordinance, He takes our certificate and He nails it to His cross.

Christ has taken away the condemnation of our sin.

Upon repenting of our sin and believing the gospel of Jesus Christ, our punishment for sin was transferred to Jesus Christ.

Remember what we read so far in chapter 1 and chapter 2.

The image of the invisible God, the Creator of the world, and the One by whom the fulness of the Godhead is present, bore the punishment for the sins and transgressions that we have partaken in.

Imagine it. When there was nothing that we could do in and of ourselves to remove the condemnation of sin, Christ picks up our wages of sin, and bares them.

In verse 15, we can see that Christ has been exalted over the punishment of sin.

He has triumphed over the weight of sin that He willingly took from us.

Verse 18 and 19 tell us not to ignore or let anyone take away the prize that we have been given from Christ.

We are to rejoice in the finished work of Christ because of who He is and what He has done for us.

Look down in verse 20.

This is where we get to examine this so called paradox that I have been mentioning this entire time.

Colossians 2:20 says, Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

Does anyone remember the dictionary definition of the word paradox?

Just in case you forgot a paradox is “a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true”

I bet almost everyone in this audience is thinking to themselves, “what is this guy talking about?’

What does verse 20 and verse 13 of Colossians 2 have to do with the meaning of this word.

In verse 13 the text tells us that we have been quickened together with Christ. That means that we have been made alive in Christ.

We were once dead in sin but yet we have been made alive in Him.

But, verse 20 tells us that we have died with Christ to the sins of this world.

What? How could that be?

It sounds like a paradox to me.

Do the two not seem to contradict?

We have been made alive in Christ, yet we have died with Christ?

What does this mean?

It means exactly what the text says.

Before the moment of your conversion, you were dead in your sins.

That means that you were thriving in your sins and that according to Romans 1:18, the wrath of God was abiding on you.

We loved the sins that we participated in and were content doing them.

Yet, through the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ, we were converted by the gospel message.

From that day on, we as believers should be growing more like Christ in what it is that we do.

Whether it be what we do, say, or speak, we should conform ourselves to our Savior.

By being made alive in Christ, we have therefore died with Christ.

This means that we have died to the lusts of our sins.

No longer do we bear the condemnation of our sin.

We are to forsake the sins that we once loved and thrived in.

As mentioned a moment ago, we are to become more like our Savior.

That is what it means to be made alive in Christ and yet dead in Christ.

So, in closing, what does this mean for our everyday lives?

How can I apply this message from the book of Colossians?

Firstly, we are to understand and appreciate the Savior.

The God of the universe that was prophesied in the Old Testament.

The God of the universe that was born of a virgin.

The God of the Universe that lived a sinless and perfect life that no one else could replicate.

The God of the Universe that was bruised for our iniquities and whose stripes have healed us.

The God of the Universe that was buried in a borrowed grave.

The God of the Universe that rose triumphantly from that grave three days after He died.

The God of the Universe that today is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on behalf of His Church.

That is the one true God of Scripture and that is His glorious gospel.

Secondly, we are to understand and appreciate our salvation.

We must understand that are salvation is wholly of God and that there is nothing that we can do to merit or earn the grace of God.

Only by Him is true salvation found.

And thirdly, we are to continue to be conformed to will of Christ.

Examine your own soul and ask that God conform yourself to the way that Christ would have you to be.

We are to be a people that reflects the mercy and grace of a Savior that can truly change ones life.

Are we the Christians that we are commanded to be?

Prayer