What does 'if ye continue in the faith' mean in Col.1:23?

What does 'if ye continue in the faith' mean in Col.1:23?

A lot of people read the verse below and think that it means they can lose their salvation, or more specifically, their reconciliation with God, which is specified in verse 22. Let's take a look at what this passage of scripture is saying.

Col 1:21  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he RECONCILED  (22)  In the body of his flesh through death, TO PRESENT YOU holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:  (23)  IF YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;  ...  (28)  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may PRESENT every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Note: I have capped certain key words for emphasis. Now, let's work through what Paul wrote and look at the proper context to learn what is really being said here.

"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he RECONCILED."

Firstly, notice that's past tense, "hath he reconciled." Reconciled. How has God reconciled you? You were reconciled by the body of Christ through death. Now, has that reconciliation changed? Will God revoke the cross of Christ and change your reconciled status with Him? No! Through faith in Christ you are sealed into His body, justified, acquitted, reconciled, and have received the atonement through Christ, Rom.5:11. 

"TO PRESENT YOU holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:"

Secondly, look at what Paul says next: "to present." Is that future or past? That’s future tense. So, your reconciliation is past, but God reconciled you in the body of His Son for the purpose of PRESENTING you, in the future, as holy, unblameable, and unreprovable in His sight. 

The two truths in this passage are connected but also different. 'Reconciled' is one truth and has already been accomplished. 'To present' is a second truth and has not yet happened. Keep this in mind as we continue to understand this passage.

"...unreproveable in his sight: (23) If ye continue in the faith..."

Now, slow down and look at the colon at the end of verse 22, because this is going to explain the big "IF" in this passage. What is significant about colons? Well, in literature, a colon is used to introduce a word, phrase, or clause that adds particular emphasis to the preceding sentence of the text body.

Thus, the clause after the colon is going to add clarity, or more detail, to the preceding text. So, what is the "if" condition about? It's about the second truth in the passage, concerning our future presentation. It does not connect with reconciliation which makes sense in context since it is settled, unchangeable, and already accomplished through the cross work of Christ.

The 'IF' is a condition regarding our presentation to God after the judgement seat of Christ. After all our own vanities, false doctrines, and works have been burned up in the fire of our Lord's judgement, so that only that which is of Christ remains upon the foundation of Paul's grace doctrine, Rom.2:16, it is then that we will receive, from God, a specific measure of the fullness of the glory of Christ based on how much of Christ is found upon our foundation. This glory is a prize, Php.3:14, that we hope for, Eph.1:18, and run to attain, Php.3:11, while we learn and live in this current life, gaining knowledge in our doctrine and in the fulness of God's redemption plan across both the mystery and prophetic programs, Rom.16:26.

Lastly, look at verse 28. Notice again the word 'present'. 

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

All these verses are about our presentation to God after the judgement seat of Christ one day. When you understand this, then you’ll also understand the context of what Colossians chapter 2 is about, which speaks of —all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and letting no man spoil you. Can you see what Paul is referring to? This is all about preparing you for the judgment seat and in particular, our presentation and reward before God our Father.

There is more to our lives here on earth than just getting justified to go to heaven. We should not be sitting around idle, waiting for redemption. We ought to be growing in Christ, redeeming the time, studying the Word of truth and allowing it to work within us to conform us to Christ. There is a prize in heaven that we should be running to attain to today. There is a measure of glory that we are hoping for, a high calling that we are to pursue that we might glorify Christ in the things we have learned and conformed to in Christ. Romans is the foundational book in our grace curriculum, the 9-church epistles of Paul. In Romans, the first 4 chapters bring us to justification. The rest of our foundational doctrine is actually our preparation for our inheritance and glorification. What we learn and yield to, according to our doctrine, Romans to Philemon, builds upon that foundation, either our own structure that will burn up, or a structure of Christ; the gold, silver and precious stones, 1Cor.3:10-15.

The conditional word, 'IF', should draw our attention to the fact that God wills for us to come to a knowledge of the truth, 1Tim.2:4, and have that truth work effectually in us to accomplish His works, to be His ambassadors, to be the ministers of reconciliation in this world. We are to be growing from babes in Christ to sons of God through the doctrine He committed to Paul for us. If we grow in this doctrine, we are preparing ourselves for that day of judgement and for the hope of glory in the ages to come. If we choose not to grow in Christ, we remain saved, but will suffer loss in the inheritance of Christ. Do not let the enemy keep you blinded and idle. Get into the Word of God and let it quicken you towards our purpose as the Body of Christ.