The Identity of our Faith

Colossians 1:21–23 ESV

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.

How does sin change our identity? How are our images marred by sin in the world today? (compare Romans 1:21 and Colossians 1:21)

What does in mean for us to be alienated and hostile in our minds? (vs.21) What are some ways that you have seen our culture today as hostile towards God?

How does Christ’s death reconcile us before God? Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 what does Paul teach us in these verses about reconciliation? What does it look like to be in Christ?

Read Romans 7:21-25 How does Paul speak of the war that is being waged in our flesh and mind?

Paul proclaims at the end of verse 22 the purpose of His death and reconciliation which is to make us holy and blameless before Him. Why is being Holy and blameless before God such a big deal? Why is it so important for us to constantly remember where we once were before Christ. (other verses that speak of being made holy and blameless, Eph. 1:4, Eph. 5:25-27, Hebrews 10:10).

Why do you think Paul uses the conjunction “if” followed by “continued in the faith?” Paul then uses two words to describe our continued faith as, “stable” and “steadfast.” What does it look like for your faith to be “stable” and “steadfast?”

Paul’s concluding statement is that we not shift from the hope of the gospel that we have all heard. Read Galatians 1:6-10 what is warning that Paul teaching here about following or turning from the truth of the Gospel. How have you personally seen even a small deviation from the Gospel completely devastating to the Church and it’s messenger?

What does the following text we have read today tell you about God and what does it tell you about yourself? How does this encourage you to hold fast to your faith?