COLOSSIANS 1:19-23 – ANOTHER GREAT WORD! (RECONCILIATION)
CHRIST SUPREME (COLOSSIANS) #5
We all have favorite words that are great to us! Some words you might feel are great are, “Vacation”, “Grandchildren!”, “Shoeboxes!” “Music!”, “Hunting!”, “Sports!”, “Food!”, “Pain free!”
These great words are mostly subjective. They carry personal opinions, so they vary!
When God shows us great words, they truly are great!
Salvation, Forgiveness, Justification, Blood, Believe, faith and redemption are all great Bible Words. We could add more words, so we will add one more – Reconciliation!
When we think of the word reconciliation, we think of two people who once were close to each other, separated by any number of differences, who have settled their differences and are once close together again. They have reconciled their differences. Some examples of this kind of reconciliation take place between a husband and a wife, a parent and a child, two previous friends who are now friends again, and between a pastor and a church member.
In the Bible, the word reconcile means to change or exchange. There is a change in the relationship so that those who are estranged or separated are now at peace with each other.
In the case of God and His creation, estrangement took place when men sinned. This caused a separation, a break between perfect God and imperfect man. It is important to note that God is never reconciled to man, because this was not God’s fault. Man is always reconciled to God, but God always takes the initiative. God makes reconciliation possible!
RECONCILIATION IS POWERFUL! Col. 1:19-20
- Colossians 1:19– As you may remember from last week, Colossians 1:12-18 teaches three important things about our Lord Jesus. Were sinners, He’s Savior, Were creatures, He’s Creator, We’re saints, He’s Sovereign.
- All fulness means that every characteristic, every power, every right that is found in God is found in God the Son. He is God in the flesh.
- Being reconciled to God is now possible because God the Son came to earth and accomplished reconciliation. Mark 1:1
- Colossians 1:20 – All things were reconciled to God in Heaven and earth. You see, when man sinned against God, he not only had relationship with God changed.
- Because of man’s sin, animals became carnivorous, and at odds with each other and with man himself.
- Because of man’s sin, violent weather patterns erupted.
- Because of man’s sin, there are wars, murders, sexual immorality, violations of people’s rights and estrangement between man and man, woman and woman, man and woman, and woman towards man.
- Because of the powerful sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross there is now peace with God through the shedding of His sinless blood.
- His creation has been reconciled. Every person who accepts the conditions for reconciliation is and will be reconciled. The creation itself will be reconciled. It’s a done deal! Romans 8:19-23, Isaiah 11:6-9
RECONCILIATION IS PERSONAL! Col. 1:21-22
- Reconciliation has to be personal! God has made reconciliation for every human being possible. But, for man there is a condition. One must make this their own.
- 21 – Paul is talking to the Colossians, and he talks about how they once were. Then he says, you have been reconciled.
- Colossians 1:22 – And Paul reminds them of how through the death of Jesus on the cross. Look back to verse 20. It’s through the blood of the cross that we have peace.
- It’s also in a personal sense that a believer is presented holy, blameless and beyond reproach in God’s sight.
- When Paul says you, he is talking to people who have believed the Gospel. Colossians 1:3-5
- They made the available, already paid price for reconciliation in Christ their own. You must too. Romans 5:1 Have you?
- You cannot believe for another. You cannot baptize an infant and assume that the infant is saved. (God is gracious though. He takes care of the innocent.) As the child grows, he/she must chose for themselves.
- You cannot believe for your son, your daughter, your grandchildren, your neighbor, your coworker, or your friend. You cannot only believe for you! And after that you can pray for and share the joy of you salvation with others!
RECONCILIATION IS PERMANENT! Col. 1:23
- Uh oh! Look at the word “if” there. Our first worry is that can a person, can I, lose my salvation if I once have it.
- Let me remind you of an overriding principle. Scripture does not contradict Scripture. One Scripture will explain another but will not contradict it. If it does seem to contradict, there is an explanation, even if we don’t understand.
- John 10:27-30 and other passages assure us that Jesus knows true believers in Him. Neither He nor His Father will allow us out of his grip.
- Colossians 1:23 is talking about a true believer. If you are a true believer, you have been changed. You have a new will and a new nature because you are a new creation or creature in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
- You will continue your faith in Christ, you will become grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope. It may take time, but God is faithful.
- Colossians 2:6-7 will be a part of your life, even though we must be reminded and obedient.
Reconciliation is indeed a great word!
RECONCILIATION IS POWERFUL! Colossians 1:19-20
RECONCILIATION IS PERSONAL! Colossians 1:21-22
RECONCILIATION IS PERMANENT! Colossians 1:23
