“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

Athletes competing in the Olympics share one common message: they went through rigorous training to compete on a world stage with one goal – winning gold for the nation they represent. And, when they achieve that goal, one winner will not minimize the prize of another just because they competed in a different sport. They will share the status of becoming national icons and be equally recognized in history as Olympic champions.

The Church universal does not always share such a common message. It’s not even easy to perceive her as one body with her countless denominations, each with its own series of doctrinal statements. How is the Church to be distinguished in a world lost in sin? The Apostle Paul reminded Christians in Colossae of what made them unique. It was not their style of music, nor their use of their spiritual gifts, and nor was it their diverse cultural makeup. Rather, he identifies them as “saints and faithful brothers in Christ”. He elaborates their relationship in Christ with the message of the Gospel – a message of redemption from captivity and forgiveness of sins.
There is no other message of greater significance to mankind other than God rescuing people from under the rule of the evil one, and transferring them into the loving family of God. When the Gospel becomes the core message of the Church, then her witness will thrive in a perishing world. For if it was great music that there was a lack of, then there’s plenty of that in the world; if it was entertaining activities, then there’s a variety of avenues for that in the world; even social acceptance can be accommodated through worldly means. But, there’s no place where the human heart, which is deceitful above all things, can find escape and solace, except in the redeeming and forgiving love that God offers in Christ. And, it is precisely this message that the Church must proclaim the loudest.