As this Christmas season draws to a close and a new year dawns, we can express the same confidence in the Gospel as Paul had in his letter to the Colossian church. The Gospel continues to bear fruit! The Gospel is growing! We can rejoice as men and women across the world continue to find life and hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel is universal in its scope because it is cosmic in its essence. The message of the Gospel is rooted in a cosmic Christ. As Paul also wrote to the Colossians, Christ is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Further, “He is before all things and in him all things hold together.” In fact, Paul offers an incredible summary statement, “Christ is all.”
Indeed, Christ is all! His glory spans both time and space. History records his human life. In his humanity, Christ gave glimpses of his glory (e.g. the Mount of Transfiguration). The future will reveal His glory in full. The universe is a daily testimony to His majesty.
We can go to the nations with confidence that this message about this Christ will transcend any ethnic, linguistic, social, racial or educational barrier. We can proclaim this truth with confidence that the message will offer hope to any person any where any time.
But, we must go. In spite of the cosmic witness to the cosmic Christ – we must go and tell the nations. Somehow God has chosen to allow us to partner with Him in this grand endeavor. What a privilege! What a responsibility!
May your celebration of Christmas and the rest of this holiday season be filled with glimpses of the glory of Christ. May the year 2007 be filled with our faithful witness to the nations of the cosmic Christ.
– Dennis R Wiles
