Colossians – Part 2: Reconciliation to God, through God, for God

Colossians 1:20-23

“19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But 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— 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved 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.”

Thoughts: I love that God has reconciled us TO God, THROUGH God, and FOR God. This salvation that we enjoy was entirely the work of God and enacted completely for his pleasure and Glory. At one point we were all Gods enemies, rebelling and warring against Him. For this, we willed His judgement on ourselves and yet he chose, for His glory, to reach down and absorb that judgement so that he might offer us salvation. It PLEASED God to do this. It is His pleasure to save. It brings him glory to offer forgiveness - we cannot earn it, He is given even more glory because it is undeserved. We are now presented holy and blameless before the judgement seat. That broken relationship has been fixed, all BY God, FOR God, and to OUR immense benefit!

The reconciliation that Jesus provided on the cross goes further than just reconciling man and God. It also provides the framework for reconciliation of other kinds. The grace of God allows reconciliation between us all as well. Galatians 3: 28 sums up the new relationship we have with each other: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. Reconciliation means putting aside the traditional divides and recognising we are one in Christ.

Some questions to discuss:- What does reconciliation mean to you?
- How have you experienced reconciliation?
- Do you think people see this reconciliation in the church?

Further Reading:
Book: Wayne Grudem, “Systematic Theology”, (Chapter 40, Perseverance of the Saints)
Video: You Tube: How Reconciliation Was Achieved.
Article: Can a Christian Lose Salvation?
Link to Studies: Colossians_All10Parts_8