Colossians 1:21-23
At one time, you were alienated from God and hostile in your thinking, as expressed through your evil deeds. But now Christ reconciled you in his body of flesh through death, in order to present you holy, blameless, and faultless before him—if you continue steadfast and firm in faith, without being moved away from the hope of the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven.
Applying God’s Word for today: The importance of being reconciled
We often face difficulties in our relationships and may accidentally say things that offend loved ones, leading to tension and conflict. Do you sometimes struggle to set aside your pride and genuinely say, “I am sorry”? Or do we apologize too quickly, like children, which can lack sincerity? This reflects our sinful nature. A sincere apology can restore closeness, especially when it is met with those comforting words: “I forgive you!” Hearing these words can be truly uplifting when you’ve made a mistake.
In our sinful nature, we often violate our relationship with the Lord when we show lovelessness to others. Without faith, we become estranged and hostile towards God, earning eternal condemnation for every sin—whether against Him or others. However, we are not left in that condition. Out of His love, God sent His Son to live a perfect, loving life we could not, and He willingly faced the cross, bearing all our sins. His death in our place reconciles us to God.
Through the faith bestowed on us by the Holy Spirit, we understand the gifts from God, recognizing that we are forgiven even before confessing our sins. Share this reconciliation you have received with someone who does not trust in the Lord, so that they may also come to faith and be reconciled for Jesus’ sake.
Dear Heavenly Father, though no one enjoys being called evil or hostile towards You, Paul was honest about the effects of our sins. Lord, help us see our faults clearly through Your word and confess them, knowing You already know them before we speak. Strengthen our faith so we can rely on Your grace and mercy. Thank You for sharing Your gospel; give us the courage today to join in Your mission to proclaim it to all creation under heaven. Amen.
Rest assured, Christ has already forgiven our sins. He encourages us to recognize our iniquities and seek forgiveness. Believe and trust that your sins are forgiven and that He has secured your salvation and eternal life. These blessings are granted to you through faith in Him.