RECONCILED BY CHRIST
21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him— 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.
Colossians 1:21-23 (CSB)
Humanity is separated from the Lord because of sin. God’s love for humanity is shown in Christ, as He made a way for reconciliation between humanity and the Lord. The Bible states that through Christ, God reconciled the world to Himself, and in this reconciliation, He no longer counts their sins against them (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). This reconciliation happened through the death of Jesus (Romans 5:10) and the shedding of His blood (Colossians 1:20). The apostle Paul explains the differences between the separated and reconciled natures in Colossians 1:21-23.
The Old Self. The apostle Paul describes the mindset that drives a person's life when they are burdened by sin. The old self is characterized by alienation and hostility towards the Lord. This separation stems not from ignorance of God—since God knows us—but from actions and attitudes that do not reflect the Lord, resulting in distance from Him. Living in the old self means being far from the Lord, living as enemies in ongoing hostility to His ways. Therefore, the old self is estranged from the Lord in heart, mind, soul, and actions. Our alienation and hostility toward God are evident through our wayward behaviors.
The New Self. The self is now defined by Christ’s presence. Through Christ, reconciliation is offered and received when we accept Jesus in saving faith. This salvation results in a new status, where we are seen as holy, faultless, and blameless. In Christ, we are regarded as holy—set apart for the Lord and free from sin. Our view of ourselves is based on our relationship with Christ. Additionally, in Christ, we are considered faultless and blameless. We are no longer burdened by sin’s imperfections but are seen as righteous because of Christ's presence. Therefore, our mindset and actions should shift from worldly influences to pursuing Christ’s ways.
The Constant Pursuit. Living as the new self requires a persistent pursuit of God's ways, which stems from a life rooted in Christ. We must confront obstacles to uphold faithfulness, with unwavering faith grounded in the Lord. When we are reconciled through faith in Christ, we establish our foundation in Him, finding victory and stability. Our lives should continually strive to follow God's will and ways, emphasizing our identity in the new self rather than the abandoned old self.
QUESTIONS
How can being aware of our old self and seeing our new self help us overcome the various challenges we face?
What steps can you take in your life to deepen your understanding of your new identity in Christ, and what can you do to strengthen your grounding in Christ?
