Declaring in Harmony

"...and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister." Colossians 1:23b-c NASB

This Good News we share is full of hope. You will remember that Biblical "hope" is what we would call "confident expectation." We, in our modern usage consider the word "hope" in the same way and with the same understanding that we might use "wish." However this is not its meaning in our Bibles. The three, faith, hope, love, items often referred to in Paul's writings together are concepts and spirit characteristics given to us through our God. These are not based on human ability, but upon God Himself and His nature given to us in Jesus Christ.

The true Gospel brings us hope - confident expectations in Him. Our lives are filled as our hearts are lifted into a realm of life that is seen and acquired in faith. These are His gifts to us, to be received and used in His life with us.

I have used the NASB for this verse as it most accurately renders the Greek for us. This part of the verse reminds us of Psalm 19:1-4.

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words;

Their voice is not heard.

Their line has gone out through all the earth, 

And their utterances to the end of the world."

If one knows the constellations of stars above us and their rotations, then the story of our Messiah is clearly displayed. The entire earth is without excuse. Our Christ has been clearly displayed since creation in the heavens as well as through all the creation. We are told in Romans 1:20-21,

 "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

Everyone has had opportunity to know and receive our God. No one is ever left out. When we join in the commission to share the Good News, we simply are in harmony with the proclamation of the entire creation and are joining the work of God in every moment of time. Our missionary zeal will be embolden more and more when we understand the awesome lengths our Lord has gone to be known by all men. He loves everyone so much and longs to bless them with all of Himself - true life.

He has forever longed for everyone, forever loved everyone and forever made a provision for everyone. He paid for all sin for all time. No one need be left out at all. Our great job is to proclaim His goodness and grace to others, so they can open their eyes and see how He has reached, and reached, and reached to them for them. So we, like Paul, have become servants (ministers) of this great hope and we declare in harmony with the creation His marvelous love and provision so all may belong to Him and abide in His heart.