It Starts Small

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.

Colossians 1:21-23

you were alienated from God

We have uncovered the profound significance of Christology in the past few verses. Now, we boldly venture into the realm of “human-ology.” It’s a stark and unsettling reality. From the very dawn of creation, humanity has been separated from the embrace of God. This separation is due to the weight of sin. Alone, we find ourselves lost, unable to truly know the Divine. Our eyes are blind to His presence. Our hearts are deaf to His whispers. We struggle to grasp the depths of His character. We have chosen this alienation ourselves, not by any decree of His, but through the choices we have made.

enemies in your minds

Even worse, we were vehemently hostile to Him. We were not mere strangers; we were His antagonists. Humanity has a shocking predisposition to loathe Christ. There’s no logical explanation for this hatred. There’s also no reason why the Pharisees unleashed their fury upon Him for merely healing the afflicted. This attitude starkly contrasts with true objectivity. Humanity is not a blank slate; we are not inherently good. We enter this world as sinners, deeply biased against God and everything He imparts to us. In our fallen nature, we would scorn Him. We would despise Him like the Roman soldiers who crucified Him. They never truly knew His heart.

your evil behavior

(See John 3:20.) Here lies a profound revelation of why so many harbor animosity towards Christ. It’s because we cling fervently to our sinful pursuits. We revel in the very actions that pull us away from His light. A child instinctively rebels against parental guidance. They are driven by a selfish urge to fulfill their desires. Similarly, we resist authority in our yearning for freedom to indulge in our whims. This verse starkly underscores that we are not merely theoretical sinners. We are sinners in action. We are ensnared by our own choices. Sinning is not just what we do; it is what we excel at! We needed divine intervention to save us from our destructive paths. For that, we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude.

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

Colossians 1:22

Christ has reconciled us with a powerful purpose! Why? To stand before God, holy and blameless. His foremost aim isn’t our mere comfort or convenience. Instead, it’s to transform us into vessels of holiness. He wants to present us as a precious gift to God. This is the profound reason behind your salvation! If you find yourself grappling with difficulties and trials, understand this. God prioritizes your character above all else. He values your spiritual growth over fleeting comforts. Are you truly embracing your journey towards holiness? If others were to point a finger at you for a shortcoming, what would it be? That is precisely the area where your fiery effort and determination are needed the most!

if you continue in your faith

In this stirring verse, we are fervently reminded of the profound responsibility that rests upon us in this divine equation. It is God who saves, the ultimate architect of our salvation, tirelessly working within us. Yet, we are called to rise up and persevere with unwavering faith, standing unshakable in our beliefs. We must be resolute, steadfast, and bold. We should be ready to embrace the transformative power of God. We allow Him to mold us. We are not mere vessels; we are willing instruments in His hands, pliable clay awaiting His divine craftsmanship. The question echoes in our hearts: How can we embody this sacred calling?

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Cross-References

• Ephesians 2:1-7
• 2 Corinthians 5:18
• Romans 5:10

Discussion Questions

• Were you ever hostile to Christ? If so, when and how?
• How are people hostile to Christ prior to coming to faith in Him?
• In what way does this passage say that Christ rescued you?
• For what purpose does this passage say that Christ rescued you?
• What is Christ’s goal for you?
• What does it mean to be beyond reproach? To be sinless?
• Why is it important to live our lives in this way?
• What are some of the common things which move people away from the hope of the gospel?
• How can we make sure this doesn’t happen to us?

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