Scripture: Colossians 1:15-23
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For [b]by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He [c]is before all things, and in Him all things [d]hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For [e]it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the [f]fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say,whether things on earth or things in [g]heaven.
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—23 if indeed you continue in [h]the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, [i]was made a[j]minister.
Colossians 1:16 always brings me back to my first love, Jesus. God used v. 16 to see He is my all and all. God showed me that my purpose was not about my self or my life but was about Him. ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN CREATED THROUGH HIM AND FOR HIM. We learn much about who Jesus is in the above Colossian verses. He is the image of the invisible God. He has all the attributes. He is God in the flesh . God was pleased for all of Himself to live in Christ. All things were created by Him (to show that He is the one true God) and all things are sustained by Him and continue because of Him. We know He is above all things and before all things. He is to have the supremacy in everything.
We also hear that God made peace by the blood of Christ's death on the cross. Reconciliation is a word that we all need to hear. We can and have been reconciled back to God. We are no longer enemies. We don't have to earn his favor nor do we have to run and hide. We were once alienated but now through Jesus' death, we can come near. Jesus makes us blameless and holy in God's sight when we continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel.
After reconciliation with God, we can have reconciliation with others. We can spread this ministry of reconciliation to others that are alone, afraid and in hiding.
Many of us are living with broken relationships whether broken marriages, broken in law relationships, broken family relationships, and broken friendships. We don't have to live like this. God has provided a way to be reconciled back to him by Jesus death on the cross. He has conquered death. He brings us back into a relationship with Him. Our reconciliation with others is made through His forgiveness and sacrifice. We can forgive others through His power. God tells us that as far as it depends on us to be at peace with all men. This passage comes from Romans 12 where we are told to be a living sacrifice. It is good to read all of Romans 12 to see love in action in all relationships.
I am learning through this gift of reconciliation due to Jesus death that I can bless those who persecute me. Through Christ, I can love and do good those who hate me. Through Christ, I can bless those who curse me. I am not to repay evil for evil. Through Christ, I can pray for those who spitefully use me. If my enemy is hungry, I am to feed him. If my enemy is thirsty, I am to give him a drink. Love needs to be sincere.
Through Jesus Christ's sufficiency, I am seeing that I can have right relationships with others. I can't force them to love me but I can love as God gives me the power to love.
The Good News is that we were once alienated and enemies of God in our minds by wicked works yet now He, Jesus Christ has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death to present us holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight. We all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. Sin deserved death but God himself was born of flesh and died on the Cross. The grave could not hold him and He conquered death and sin. He rose again after 3 days. If we believe in our heart He has been raised from the dead and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord you will be saved.(see Romans 10:9). Call on the name of the Lord. We are then to continue on in faith, remaining steadfast to the Good news we heard.
Thank you that we don't have to live away from you God or others. Thank you Jesus that you promised that you will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5-6). Call on the name of the Lord through Jesus Christ. May God's grace and peace be with you. May he heal your relationships and in all things, may he be your sufficiency. You were created for a purpose - to glorify God (reflect who He is) and enjoy Him forever. All things were created through Him and for Him. This means you - you were created FOR HIM.
