Truth, The Highest Form of Love

The Compassion with Confrontation

Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

The Proceed Any Further Is Dangerous...

“Warning every man” means the message of Christ is not soft-pedaled. It is urgent. It confronts sin, exposes self-deception, and calls every person to turn from the broad way that leads to judgment. The warning is not hatred; it is mercy. A faithful preacher does not flatter, entertain, or excuse. 

And Teaching Every Man In All Wisdom

Warning alone is not enough. People must not only be told what to flee; they must be taught where to go. The Holy Ghost therefore joined warning with teaching. The gospel gives understanding concerning God, sin, judgment, grace, faith, holiness, and eternal life.

This teaching is “in all wisdom.” Biblical wisdom is more than possessing information. It is learning to see life from God’s perspective and a view of eternity. A person may know religious facts and still lack spiritual wisdom. True wisdom leads the heart to Christ, produces humility, exposes self-righteousness, and teaches the believer how to walk faithfully in a fallen world.

The gospel therefore speaks to the whole person. It warns the conscience, enlightens the mind, convicts the heart, and calls the sinner to Jesus Christ. It does not merely invite a person to add Christianity to an otherwise unchanged life. It calls him to repentance, faith, and a new life free from sin.

The Good News of Jesus Christ

The gospel contains good news, but it also contains a serious warning because humanity stands in danger apart from Christ. To warn someone is to love them enough to tell them the truth about a danger they may not see.

The Warning To You

You cannot inherit salvation from someone else. You cannot borrow your parents' faith. You cannot substitute church membership for conversion. You cannot substitute morality for regeneration. You cannot substitute religious activity for the transforming work of God.

You need Christ, not merely as an example to follow, but as the Savior you cannot do without.

And you need more than an outward profession. 

You need to be born again.

The Salvation of Jesus Christ

So this warning is for you: do not merely admire Christ, come to Christ. Do not merely learn about the new birth, be born again. Do not rest in religion, morality, or your own goodness, because none of these can save you. You need Jesus. You need the new life that only God can give. If you have never been born again, the most important thing you can do is turn to Christ in repentance and faith.