Don’t Get Cheated
Colossians 1:21 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.
How were you reconciled? In the body of His flesh through death, not your body performing perfectly according to the law.
Why was it done through this means? To present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.
Does anyone really believe they can live above reproach in His sight in their flesh? He who sees all and knows all and with whom there is nothing hidden.
So how is this holy, blameless, and above reproach maintained? By continuing in the faith. Being grounded and steadfast, and not being moved away from the hope of the gospel.
This is why I say it is so important to be reminded of the gospel of Christ always so that we remain steadfast and grounded in it.
I was once a child of darkness, but now I am a child of the light because of Christ.
I was once an enemy of God, but now I am a child of God and favored by Him because of Christ.
God was at one time against me due to my unbelief and rejection of Him, but now, by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, I am accepted and blessed.
I was once under God’s wrath because I was His enemy, but now, by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, I am a friend, and God is no longer angry with me.
I need to always be reminded of my current status with God because of Christ Jesus, not myself. I am in right standing with Him because of Christ. I owe my relationship with God to Jesus, and I owe my favor with God to Jesus, and I owe my being so greatly loved by God to Jesus. Everything I prosper in my soul with is because of Jesus.
Because it is due to Jesus and His obedience on my behalf, I can have confidence and be secure, knowing my righteousness is not my own, and my holiness is not my own. It is made possible through Jesus, and God is greatly pleased with Him. For this reality, I am most grateful. The plan of God from before the foundation of the world was to secure me with the most powerful means of redemption that has ever been contrived.
My confidence and boldness to walk according to the Spirit is anchored in this reality of hope and promise that is mine in Christ Jesus. I will not allow convincing arguments to move me off of this foundation of Hope that is mine in Christ according to the glorious gospel concerning Him.
