Free Bible Commentary
“Colossians 1:21-23”
Categories: Colossians“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”
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When we were in the world and engaged in sinful thoughts and “evil deeds,” we were “hostile” enemies of God and “alienated” from Him and His spiritual blessings (verse 21). Wicked thoughts and actions are direct attacks on God and His holiness, and are completely deserving of God’s righteous wrath. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).
Yet, because of His great love and mercy, Jesus paid the penalty that we all deserve from of our sins, and He “reconciled” us “in His fleshly body through death” (verse 22). Without Christ’s sacrifice there could have been no appeasement of God’s wrath and therefore no reconciliation with Him. Sinners who refuse to turn to God through obedient faith in Christ Jesus make themselves forever the Lord’s enemies and will be eternally damned and estranged from Him.
For those of us who willingly and purposefully chose a covenant relationship with God through Christ, we must “continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast” and unmovable in our hope (verse 23). Jesus died for us in order that He might present us “holy and blameless and beyond reproach” as we stand before God on Judgment Day (verse 22). But we can see that Christ’s sacrifice and our “belief alone” will not be enough to secure us on that day. We will only be regenerated on the last day “if” (verse 23) we continue firmly, steadfastly and unwaveringly in our faith in Jesus and our conviction for His Gospel.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14)
Please read Colossians 1:24-29 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
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