Commenting on Colossians 1, NT Wright says

‘The gospel’, for Paul, is an announcement, a proclamation, whose importance lies in the truth of its content. It is not, primarily, either an invitation or a technique for changing people’s lives. It is a command to be obeyed and a power let loose in the world (cf. Rom. 1:16-17), which cannot be reduced to terms of the persuasiveness or even the conviction of the messenger. It works of itself to overthrow falsehood.

This is so refreshing. Of course the gospel does change lives–it changes everything–but it is not an impotent invitation. It is a clarion call to a world alienated from God to come home.