Jesus is enough
At our local assembly, the pastors have been preaching through a series on Colossians, “The Supreme Life.” A recent passage has been bouncing around in my brain.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:6-8
It’s in the midst of a larger passage, but here Paul is warning them not to add to or subtract from the gospel. In various ways, they were questioning the truth that “Jesus is enough.”
Some Gnostics were teaching you needed additional special knowledge. Some of the Jews were arguing that Christians needed to add the Law or parts of it.
Philosophers and pagan teachers were distorting and distorting the gospel in various ways.
It isn’t a problem that went away. Some groups want to add their own touches to make the gospel true. They claim you need to observe the sabbath or exhibit certain sign gifts. If you don’t belong to their group or follow their teacher, you can’t possibly be saved.
There are groups who feel you don’t need to follow Jesus by faith, just be a “good” or “nice” person. Don’t worry about things like sin, just follow your heart. These groups want to subtract from the gospel.
It’s all a variant of the way Satan deceived Eve, with “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1). The gospel is true, and we are bound to it; it isn’t dependent on anything we try to add or subtract.
Jesus is enough. His sacrifice paid the penalty for our sins. Our need is to accept that marvelous gift by faith. If Jesus isn’t enough, nothing we add to it can possibly bring it up to standard. If Jesus is enough, we shouldn’t be subtracting from His gift.
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. Our salvation is by faith alone. We cannot do it on our own.
Do not try to add or subtract from the gospel. Jesus is enough, and for that I’m eternally grateful.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
SUMMARY
In this devotional, I explore Paul’s warning in Colossians 2:6-8 against adding to or subtracting from the gospel. From Gnostics to modern false teachers, the enemy’s tactic hasn’t changed, but the truth remains: Jesus is enough.
TAKEAWAY
False teachers have always tried to add requirements or subtract essentials from the gospel, but neither improves on what Christ accomplished.
Satan’s oldest trick, “Did God really say?”, is still the engine behind every distortion of the gospel.