Good morning,
When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.
In the letter to the Colossians Paul encourages them to follow Christ. Paul prays for them, gives them seven portraits of the person of Christ, tells them how Christ reconciled them to Himself, how Christ dwells in them, and that they need to walk in Christ.
We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions.
Reconciliation (1:20-23)
“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”
Jesus provided reconciliation through the cross (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 2:16). This reconciliation includes all things, in all places. This peace, however, came at a high price: the blood of Christ. Just as a sacrifice was used in the Old Testament to make peace and reconciliation with God, Jesus served as a once-for-all sacrifice on behalf of the sins of all people. Those who accept His sacrifice and believe have eternal life (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8–9).
Christ reconciled me to Himself on 20 April 1972. It has been my desire to grow closer to Him, learn more about Him, and minister through Him, ever since.
How about you? Has Jesus reconciled Himself to you? Have you ever trusted Christ to be your Lord and Savior? He takes us as we are. All He wants is us to come to Him. He will do the rest.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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