Shifty Souls - Colossians - Part 41

The unique word today is 'shift' (metakineō - Strong's G3334)

"...if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister." - Colossians 1:23 ESV

On outreach this weekend we spoke to a man who though he was an 'old soul' and claimed that we were 'new souls' who just didn't know that humanity lives again and again until 'we get it right.' When we asked Him about Jesus we found out he grew up Catholic and saw Jesus as an example. Then we gave Him this verse.

"And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." - Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV

This man had either never really put his hope in Christ or he had shifted away from the hope of the Gospel.

I plead with this man in the middle of the flea market and said with love in my voice, 'You think you have wisdom to give others and many chances to live again and again but you don't. If you die tonight you aren't coming back as a chipmunk or a squirrel. You are going to die and face God having never received the gift of salvation. Please consider Jesus. He Is not just an example. He was born once. He died once and He Is coming back.'

He then shifted the conversation and said, 'What about all the people in China.' my team mate began to answer but I brought it back to Christ and said, 'Forget those people for a moment... this is you, me and God right here and right now. God wants to give you a gift. They are none of your business. You are running up a tree to escape reality.'

I tried to stay with the squirrel theme. {smile}

This man was shifting back and forth. He thought when he died that he would shift into another body and spend another life shifting and making incremental progress. He is wrong and I would have done him no service by humoring him.

We locked eyes. I gave him the Gospel clearly. I trust God to use it in this man's life. He was older and didn't seem like someone who would change his mind easily. His fiction fits his lifestyle. But if God could save me (or you) He can save anyone.

"...if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard..." - Colossians 1:23a ESV

We have hope when we don't shift away from what Jesus has done. We have integrity when we return and plant ourselves at Jesus' feet.

My flesh is shifty. It wants to live and justify itself but our spirit (if we have been made alive by trusting in Jesus) is not shifty.

God fill us with Your Spirit so we can live as spiritual people today. Then we will be firm, stable and steadfast. Our hope is not in our progress. Our hope is in what You have accomplished at the cross. Please bless our day and our week. We ask this in Jesus' precious Name.

--