Colossians 1:21-23

Colossians 1:21-23

And at that time – while you all were having been a foreigner and an enemy in attitude in evil works – now He reconciled you in the blood of His flesh through death to make you all holy and blameless and above reproach before Him – if indeed you all remain by faithfulness: having been made a foundation and firmly established and while not being shaken from the hope of the Gospel you all heard, that which was being preached to all creation under heaven and of which I, Paul, became a servant.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul again makes a point that we heard yesterday.  We were in need of reconciliation.  We were God’s enemies.  But God reconciled us through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Paul reiterates himself because this is such a fundamental point.  We cannot save ourselves.  We do not deserve salvation.  We were enemies of God.  But He came and saved us anyways.

Why would God save us when we were His enemies?  What example does this make for your life?

Second Thought:

Paul also makes it clear what the fruit of Christ’s redemptive act is.  We are holy.  Remember that holy means “separate.”  God claims us for His purposes.  We are blameless.  That means that we are forgiven of our sins.  We are beyond reproach.  That means that there is nothing the accuser – that is, Satan – can say against us.  If we remain in Him by our faithfulness, all of these things are ours to claim.

Are you holy?  How are you separate from the world?  Are you blameless?  How do you live out your forgiveness?  Are you beyond reproach?  How do you refute Satan when he accuses you of your humanity?

Third Thought:

Paul then tells us that God has made us a foundation.  We are not to be shaken.  We are to have a confidence in life.  We may not be perfect.  We might sin occasionally.  We won’t always make the right choice.  But in God we are rock steady.  In God we cannot be shaken.  In God, we become like Paul: a servant.  We are holy for the rock solid purposes of God.

Do people see God’s foundation within you?  How?

Passage for Tomorrow: Colossians 1:24-26