Reconciled and Established
Colossians 1:21-23 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
There are some words that send shivers up my spine. Alienated is one such word. Alienated does not connote a disagreement, but rather isolation. But reconciliation, oh, reconciliation is a word that brings peace and comfort and hope.
And how did reconciliation occur? Through the spent body of Jesus Christ who became the first to conquer the grave and receive a resurrection body. Paul is reminding these new Christians that they have received the truth. It is now up to them to live accordingly.
Paul did not say. “Wait a minute. Did you forget what you were told not that long ago?” Instead, Paul measured his words, showing real restraint. He reminded the Colossians of the unique centrality of Jesus, emphasizing He had no equal in all of the world.
Do you ever read these letters and wonder how you would handle the same situation?
May we learn from the Word as we meditate on its power day after day, and may we determine in our hearts that we, too, will be ready to encourage fellow believers who have slipped on the pathway of life, giving them a hand up to regain their footing.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
.
- Posted in: Blogs
Seeking Holiness 