Be Reconciled to God

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Scripture: Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV)

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.

Devotion:

            In this scripture we find Paul encouraging the church in Colossae to hold fast to their Savior Jesus Christ. Paul recalls their state before they heard the gospel of Jesus and responded to it. They were alienated from God and pursued wicked behavior. It is good that we can still hear these as words to us in the 21st century. We are encouraged by our culture to think that we have no need of the salvation offered in Christ or that we are such oppressors that we have no hope of salvation by any means.

            We need reminders that we are not good enough to qualify for heaven without Jesus, and that no matter what we have done we are not beyond his redeeming power. Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead have the power to bring us to new life. We, who know Christ’s salvation, are set apart holy and blameless to bring glory to God. This is a word that our culture desperately needs to hear and take to heart. Far too many people have bought the lie that they will be fine on judgement day without Christ. Without Jesus we all have no hope for salvation.

            Our world operating through our flesh seeks to keep us from the salvation provided by God

 in his reconciling work in Jesus Christ. The devil seeks disciples for his pseudo-salvation message

 that there is salvation only in works done in the flesh. There is no assurance that you have ever

 done enough work. Or if you even can be saved due to your race, gender, or other condition

  We must counter this message with the truth of the gospel of Jesus. We are saved by grace through

 faith in Jesus. There is no other way under heaven by which you can be saved.

 

            As Paul continues, he tells the Colossians to cling to the gospel message of life that they have in Jesus and his cross and resurrection. It is necessary that we also cling to this word of hope as we seek to navigate the dangerous waters of our post-Christian world. As we seek to live for Jesus, we know that this world will offer us tempting paths that they say are the path to life. In reality these paths lead to death and hell will be full of people so deceived. Let us petition God that we would be faithful followers of His.

Prayer:

            Heavenly Father, we lift your name high. We know that in you alone is found salvation. Help us to cling tenaciously to the gospel of Jesus that we have received and believed. Give us words to say that encourage all we meet to run to you for salvation. Lord, empower us to be your servants in the world that is lost and floundering. Help us to reconcile all we meet to you. Amen. 

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