‘Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.
But 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 – if 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.’
(Colossians 1 v. 21 – 23)
Reconciliation is big theme in Colossians, and in much of Paul’s writing – how God acts to return us to a close relationship with Him, once we have drifted so far as to be ‘alienated’.
Reconciliation requires movement from both parties – God takes the initiative, but we are required to respond, for true reconciliation to take place.
Take a step closer to Him, today – in prayer, in the Bible, in daily living, asking Him to move closer to you, too.
‘Draw near to God and He’ll draw near to you’.
The good news (gospel) is that Jesus’ death – His physical death – is an act of God to draw us closer to Him – to reconcile us in His love. That is a gospel worth ‘serving’, as Paul continues to, in this letter, writing whilst under house arrest in Rome.
PRAYER
You laid aside Your majesty
Gave up everything for me
Suffered at the hands of those You had created.
You took all my guilt and shame
When You died and rose again
Now, today You reign, in heaven and earth exalted.
I really want to worship You, my Lord.
You have won my heart, and I am Yours,
forever.
AMEN.