The Steadfastness of God's Grace

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe...  Deuteronomy 10:17

...provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.  Colossians 1: 23

In the first chapter of Colossians, Paul presents the argument that Christ is first.  And not only is Christ first, as in the winner of a race, but he is preeminent (first over everything)-- He was the creator of the race and defined the outcome before time even began.  In order to fully grasp how we are gripped by God's grace, we need to continually keep God's greatness before us.  The Deuteronomy scripture quoted above helps us to remember this awesome, time defying essence of God.  God provided us with intellect to understand His greatness and authority, but we will never be able to fully comprehend it.  We will never be able to completely define the immensity of God. 

 

If we constantly keep in mind the greatness of God, our problems in this world become a less imposing.  This is what Paul is asking us to do in Colossians 1:23.  We are to continue established and steadfast in faith, and not because we are steadfast, faithful people, but because God is an immense, steadfast, and faithful God.  It is only through His grace, pouring into our hearts, that we can remain steadfast.  We waiver, but God stays.  God's steadfastness transcends time and space, as Paul recognizes this when he says that the God's grace has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven.  Paul is saying that from God's perspective, what will happen has already happened. 

 

When we continually keep our eyes on God's immense grace and faithfulness, our focus will shift away from our problems, and we will be better equipped to rely on God's power to overcome our earthly cares.  What a great and powerful God He is and what little He requires of us.