Reconciled to God

Colossians 1:20–23 NKJV

20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

The word reconcile is one of the most significant and descriptive terms in all of Scripture. It is one of five key words used in the New Testament to describe the richness of salvation in Christ, along with justification, redemption, forgiveness, and adoption. Today we will be looking at the word reconcile by discussing four features of reconciliation by answering 4 questions from Colossians 1:20-23: the plan of reconciliation, the means of reconciliation, the aim of reconciliation, and the evidence of reconciliation.

1. Who put it together?

a. The Plan -

b. Reconcile 3 areas

2. How was it Accomplished?

a. The Means – 2 ways

b. The Blood -

c. The Death -

3. What did it Accomplish?

a. The Aim –

b. God’s goal is 3 fold –

c. To Present Us -

4. How do I know if I have it?

a. The Evidence – 2 Aspects

b. Perseverance – In Faith and Gospel

God sends us forth as ambassadors into a fallen, lost world, bearing unbelievably good news. People everywhere are hopelessly lost and doomed, cut off from God by sin. But God has provided the means of reconciliation through the death of His Son. Our mission is to plead with people to receive that reconciliation before it is too late. Paul’s attitude, expressed in I Corinthians 5:20, should mark every Christian: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”