"The Gospel of Reconciliation" Colossians 1:21-23

In Col 1:21-23 Paul applies more specifically the themes of Col 1:15-23, in particularly the theme of reconciliation between God and man. He starts off emphasizing the great separation between humanity is from God. All of us start off as enemies of God. In our mindset, choices, and actions we show ourselves to be alienated from God and hostile towards him (Col 1:21). We were originally created to be closely connected to God, to live in his presence. But today, humanity is disconnected from God, living life outside of his presence and making a mess of things.

However in Jesus a different possibility emerges. God sent Jesus so that people could be restored to a relationship with him. Jesus brings reconciliation between man and God. When we put Jesus at the center of our lives we find ourselves able to be back in God's presence because in Jesus we are made "holy and blameless and above reproach" (Col 1:22).

All of this was made possible through the death of Jesus. It took a bloody death on a cross to bridge the chasm that existed between us and God. You could say that Jesus' death on the cross was like someone jumping into a burning building in order to save someone else, and in the process of saving this person the rescuer willingly gives up his or her life. This is pretty much what Jesus did for us, and it's all the more amazing when we consider the fact that the "fire" he rescues us from was started by us and was continuing to devour everything around us because we kept providing fuel for the fire.

Thus, our reconciliation to God is something 100% initiated by God and 100% carried out by Jesus. It is not something we helped out in or earned in any way. We can only humbly receive it by faith. However, our reconciled status is not something we should take for granted. Being reconciled to God is a status that the Christian must now actively maintain.

God by his grace protects and preserves every true believing Christian. But at the same time every true believing Christian should heed Paul's warning and see themselves as responsible to "continue in the faith" by being grounded in the gospel (Col 1:23). The gospel is the solid foundation that we now build our lives upon. For anyone who builds their life upon the "rock" of the gospel will always stand firm, no matter what (cf Matt 7:24-27). The gospel is the only message that leads us to be reconciled to God and gives us the hope and confidence that in the end of time we will be accepted by God.

Can you say that you have staked your life on the gospel? Have you put the full weight of your life upon it? Can you give examples of some choices or decisions that were made because you are established on "the hope of the gospel" (Col 1:23)?

If your life is staked on the gospel you will be able to continue in the faith, to even take "risks" of faith for the sake of Christ - although can we even consider anything to be a "risk" for us if we are established on the solid rock of the gospel? What kind of "risks" of faith do you think we should be taking in light of our being established on the gospel?