“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.  This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.”  Colossians 2:13-14

Paul is wrestling here with a problem which often beset his Gentile converts such as the Colossians. Legalists are trying to persuade the Gentile converts that they are not proper Christians and that they have to do further things to become proper Christians – a perennial problem, which we are not free of today!

Paul does not want people saved by the Gospel to be seduced back into trying to keep the Law.  The Gentiles have not got in through the back door, or by a narrow squeak.  They have been given life and forgiveness. Their debts are not tolerated reluctantly or overlooked, but cancelled.  The Gentiles have what they need, so they must hang onto it: “Let no one disqualify you”, as Paul says a few verses later.

The legalists are trying to convince the Gentile converts that they’ve got the inferior version which they need to exchange for the real thing.  No, Paul says.  You have the real deal: keep hold of it.  It is the legalists who have the shadow.

We face constant attacks upon our Gentile faith, just as the Colossians did, and it is easy to waver and wonder whether we need to “do” more to secure our salvation.  But trying to improve what “God made” has the reverse effect, sending us away from Him. That is why Paul is so determined to have the Colossians understand the inexpressible riches of what they have been given, so they will hold fast to it and not lose confidence in their Saviour.

Keep us firm, Lord God, in the hope You have set before us, so we and all Your children shall be free.  Amen.