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. Colossians 1:21-23
We have spent the last four days digging into the truth of Colossians 1:21-22 and it has been amazing to be reminded of our standing prior to Christ, and our identity because of Jesus. If you keep reading and come to verse 23, you may find reason to be concerned. After Paul describes us as being reconciled, holy, without blemish, and free from accusation, we find what could be a concerning word: “if.” Wait… are these things that Paul says are true of me conditional and not guaranteed?
First, we must remember that the beauty of verse 22 was not based on our efforts, but on Christ’s sacrificial death. Just like we could not earn right standing before God through our efforts, Paul is certainly not saying that your blameless status when standing before God is maintained through our actions. Paul anchors our ongoing faith with the words “established” and “firm.” These terms are associated with the foundation of a building and they point to the necessity of never moving past the “hope” of the gospel. Here is a crucial reminder that we never move past the reconciling work of Christ to more “mature” things. Everything rests on the hope that Jesus alone provides for those who trust in him. Our hope is not that we will be reconciled one day, but in the reality that we are reconciled today. The anchor of our hope is not in the future but in a historical event of the past. Reconciliation is only possible because of Christ’s death.
Today is Good Friday. The day that Jesus proclaimed from the cross, “It is finished.” The payment was made. The debt was satisfied. The mission was completed. Yes, it is vital that we continue in our faith, but this is done in response to what has already been done, not out of fear that we will lose what has been given. Because Jesus said “It is finished,” we respond with a life of faith in response to the life we have been given. Those who know Jesus have been reconciled to God. It’s true!
Reflection:
1. Have you ever found yourself tempted to “move from the hope held out in the gospel”? How does this drift happen over time?
2. How has your relationship with Jesus grown over time while remaining “established and firm” on the foundation of the hope of the gospel?
3. Have you ever found yourself drifting to living as if God’s love is conditional on your ongoing devotion?
Stations in the Street
Today & tomorrow, we invite you to stop by the front of the church and reflect on the artwork that depicts the stations of the cross. We trust this space will help us reflect on the sacrifice that was made so that we could have peace with God. If you cannot get to the church, you can view the artwork online HERE.
Pray through the truth of Romans 8:31-39.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
