Colossians 1:21-23
Here’s a look inside my early sermon prep.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[a] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
After reading and re-reading this passage, two words pop out at me.
The first word is "you" in verse 21. "And you" is essential because of the context. Jesus is reconciling to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross (Col 1:19). The scope of the reconciling power of Jesus on the cross encompasses everything… and everything includes you! It was important to God that you were reconciled.
But, I was alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, which is the story of every believer. Despite my rebellion, Christ has provided a substitute that is so sufficient you could use the word, overkill. "Overkill" does seem insensitive because it did kill Jesus. However, His reconciling work in His body of flesh by His death is infinite divinity offered as a substitute for the comparably insignificant and finite human race. I was incredibly sinful, but his sacrifice was more magnificent. It was so much higher. The result of this reconciliation is that He will present me holy and blameless and above reproach before the throne of God. This is my story. It is the work of Jesus in may past, present, and future.
The second word is "if" that begins verse 23. If? Can there be any question of Jesus' work being thwarted or disrupted? I wrote yesterday about the Perseverance of the Saints (Phil 1:6). So, I don't think this condition negates the work of Christ. I do think it speaks to our response and responsibility to ἐπιμένω or to stay in the faith. I think it means, "Do not walk away!" even if you could, "Don't do it." Live in it. Immerse yourself in what Jesus has done and will do in reconciling you to the God of creation. He is your Father twice, first in your creation and second in your reconciliation through Christ Jesus.
I'll be preaching this in a couple of weeks so you can listen to the final product when I post it on the sermon page. Stay tuned.