Those of us who are in Christ should never take for granted what great blessings Christ has given us. Those who are not in Christ must realize the blessings that God offers. This writer is confident that if non-Christians truly knew what Christ offers, they would obey the Gospel without hesitation. In Colossians 1:21-23, Paul outlined the Christian condition. We consider it here with the hopes that those in Christ will be encouraged to serve the Lord with renewed zeal, and those outside of Christ will realize the blessings they are missing, turn from their own desires and obey the Gospel.
Past: Lost and Hopeless
“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works…” (Colossians 1:21). “Once” denotes an earlier period of time in the Colossians’ lives when they were away from God. “Alienated” refers to one estranged or one rendered as belonging to another. Formerly, they were not part of God, being without hope (Ephesians 2:12; Romans 1:20-23). Paul added that they were “enemies.” How were they “alienated and enemies”? In their “mind by wicked works”! Their mind, purpose and intent yielded sinful actions (Proverbs 4:23). Not only were they far away from God, but they also proved themselves to be God’s enemies in both thought and action. As Christians, we also at one time were alienated and enemies of Christ. All who are not in Christ still are enemies of our Lord. Where do you fit?
Present: Reconciled
“Yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death…” (Colossians 1:21-22). “Yet now” indicates a strong contrast. Formerly, they were “alienated and enemies,” but now they are reconciled! “Reconciliation” means that we are made friends again with God. It indicates the opposite of “alienated and enemies.” Paul put it like this in Ephesians 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Reconciliation was made possible by Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21), being accomplished by His death on the cross. The combination of “body” and “flesh” in Colossians 1:22 emphasizes the humanity of Jesus, which was denied by some in Paul’s day (and ours). Reconciliation, however, required more than the incarnation of Christ. It required the death of His fleshly body. Christ died for all humanity (Hebrews 2:9), but only those who obey Him will benefit from his death (Hebrews 5:9). Are we presently reconciled? Or, are we presently Christ’s enemy?
Future: Perfect Presentation
“To present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1:22b). Christians, who live faithful “until death” (Revelation 2:10), will one day be “presented” to God in three ways. First, they will be presented “holy,” which means consecrated or set apart for special service. Second, they will be presented “blameless [without blemish, ASV],” which means “without spot” (Philippians 2:15). Third, they will be presented “above reproach [unreproveable, KJV],” which means “faultless.” This future presentation, however, is conditional, “if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven” (Colossians 1:23).
In What Condition Are We?
Each of us is in one of these first two conditions. If we have not obeyed the Gospel, being baptized into Christ, then we are “alienated and enemies.” God has no pleasure at all in people being lost (Ezekiel 18:32). The good news of the Gospel is that people do not have to be lost! Every reader can be reconciled to God, being made friends with Him. We must simply obey the Gospel. Have you obeyed the Gospel? If not, why not do it today? If we have obeyed, are we continuing to obey the Gospel? If not, why not determine today to renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
