By Michael Yong

“…the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing – as it does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you have learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.” (Colossians 1:5-7, ESV)

The gospel has in itself all that is necessary to save and sanctify those who believe. For wherever it goes, it takes root, bears fruit, and grows. The Colossian Christians needed this assurance.

For some, in their day, had claimed that the gospel was not enough for their growth. They promoted man-made thinking and customs like “asceticism and worship of angels” (2:18) to overcome sin. These claims diminished Christ and made Him seemed unable to put away sin completely.

But, according to the apostle Paul, Christ is sufficient. And the gospel, too. For Christ is both Creator and Redeemer. He reconciles sinners by his death, in order to present them holy, blameless and above reproach before Him (1:22). This is far superior to merely human ways to grow in holiness.

Furthermore, Christ possesses “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3). This is far superior to all humanly-conceived knowledge.

No surprise then that the Colossian Christians were exhorted to remain rooted and built up in Him (2:6). Therefore, they must “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel” that they heard at the beginning (1:23). They came to faith because they learned it from Epaphras, a faithful minister of Christ.

The gospel grew in Colosse because someone, like Epaphras, proclaimed it there. This is the way God has chosen so that unbelievers will know the way of salvation. As Scriptures says, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

In this REACH, you read the birth and growth of a work among international students. It begins with someone approaching them with the gospel. Then others join in. It shows how the gospel takes root, bears fruit and grows as taught in God’s word.