Reconciled In Christ

Colossians 1:20–23 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (ESV)

75 years ago this week,—June 6, 1944—U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt led in prayer as more than 156,000 Allied troops began landing on the beaches of Normandy, France, supported by 195,700 naval personnel. It was the beginning of the turning point of World War 2. Roosevelt said: “Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts. Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces. And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose. With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen." (https://www.facebook.com/FranklinGraham/posts/2518451301544369?__tn__=-R)

In the liberation of the people of Europe and the defeat of those who sought to enslave, the Allied forces broke through the beachhead on the shores of Normandy France. For us who live free from oppression, the events this week are a call to remembrance that freedom is never free. It was gained by the willingness of those who gave their lives that we may be free.

The liberty of the Gospel of Christ was achieved through the self-sacrificial death of Christ. For those in bondage to sin, He achieved their liberty. God, through Christ's death on the Cross, reconciled believers to Himself. The central purpose of Christ’s peacemaking work, is seen …in those men and women who have heard the message of reconciliation and …rendered their submission (to Christ), gratefully accepting the amnesty which the message holds out.( Bruce, F. F. (1984). The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (pp. 76–77). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)

When people are alienated from each other, in order to reestablish a relationship, they need to be reconciled. The verb katallasso (to reconcile) means “to change” or “exchange.” Its New Testament usage speaks of a change in a relationship.

In Colossians 1:20-23, Paul defends Christ’s sufficiency to reconcile humanity to God by discussing four aspects of reconciliation: 1) The Plan of reconciliation (Colossians 1:20a, 21), 2) The Means of reconciliation (Colossians 1:20b, 1:22a), 3) The Aim of reconciliation (Colossians 1:22b), and 4) The Evidence of reconciliation (Colossians 1:23).

Christ’s sufficiency to reconcile humanity to God is seen through:

1) The Plan of Reconciliation (Colossians 1:20a, 21)

Colossians 1:20a, 21 [20]and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, (making peace by the blood of his cross). [21] And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, (ESV)

God’s ultimate plan for the universe as specified in the beginning of verse 20 is to reconcile to Himself all things through Jesus Christ. When His work of creation was finished, “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Gen. 1:31). God’s good creation, however, was soon marred by humanity's sin. The Fall resulted not only in fatal and damning tragedy for the human race, but also affected the entire creation. Sin destroyed the perfect harmony between creatures, and between all creation and the Creator. The creation was “subjected to futility” (Rom. 8:20) “groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now” (Rom. 8:22).