Colossians 1:21-23
Once, But Now
Read the passage
21Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds.
22But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence—
23if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Paul brings Christ's reconciling work directly to the Colossians. They once were alienated from God, hostile in their minds and engaged in evil deeds. Their separation was bound up with real opposition and sin.
Now God has reconciled them through Christ's physical body in death. The cross is the means of their restored relationship with Him. Its purpose is to present them holy, unblemished and blameless in His presence.
Paul adds a serious condition: they must continue in the faith, established and firm, without moving from the hope of the gospel they heard. Christ's death is sufficient, and that very gospel is the hope they must hold. Turning away from Him is not a harmless change of direction.
This is the gospel proclaimed throughout the world, of which Paul has become a servant. He calls them to remain grounded in the message that brought them to Christ, trusting His reconciling work and continuing in faith.
Questions
1 How does Paul describe their former relationship with God?
AnswerThey were alienated from Him, hostile in their minds and doing evil deeds. Their need involved sin as well as separation.
2 How has reconciliation taken place?
AnswerGod has reconciled them through Christ's physical body in death. Their restored relationship rests on what Christ accomplished at the cross.
3 What is the purpose of this reconciliation?
AnswerGod intends to present them holy, unblemished and blameless in His presence. His saving work brings them near and sets them apart for Him.
4 What does Paul require of them as they look toward that hope?
AnswerThey must continue in faith, established and firm, without moving away from the hope of the gospel they heard.
What This Means for Us
A sinful past does not place someone beyond the reach of Christ's reconciliation. Come to Him honestly, trusting the death by which God brings His enemies near.
For those who already believe, this is also a call to persevere. If a teaching or relationship is drawing you away from the gospel, take that seriously. Seek help from a faithful believer and return to the truth in which your hope rests.
Prayer
Father, thank You for reconciling us through the death of Your Son. Keep us established in the gospel, honest about sin and faithful to the hope of standing in Your presence. Amen.