CHRIST THE RECONCILER
COLOSSIANS 1:20-29,
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17-21
Despite the depth of revelations, educational qualifications and encounters with Christ, which Paul had, he still said, “That I may know Him…” (Phil. 3:10). His topmost desire was to know Christ the more. He would give everything to know Christ more excellently (Phil.3:8).This shows that in-depth knowledge of Christ is not gotten from acquisition of theological degrees or historical research: Knowing Christ deeply is revelatory (Jn. 3:27).
The letter Paul wrote to the Colossian Church contains more glimpses of the revelations of who Christ is than any other letter he wrote. Note, all revelations must align with Scriptures. From our study of this letter last week, we found out that if one wants to know what God is like, he looks at Jesus. He is “the image of the invisible God” (Col.1:15a, Jn. 14:8-9). Furthermore, Christ is not a created being. He created all creations. All things exist for Him; whether they are thrones or dominions or principalities or power (Col. 1:16-17).
If believers have the understanding that all things are under His control and that nothing happens that He is not aware off, we will live this life with simplicity and godly sincerity. Our topmost desire will be to please Him always, whether in the dark or light, open or secret, publicly or privately, because He sees everything.
We shall consider two (2) points.
Point : 1 CHRIST THE RECONCILER:
What is Reconciliation? The Greek interpretation of the word “Reconciliation” is “Katallasso”. It means to change or restore relationship between people after disagreement. Literally, it means to restore friendly relationship or settle quarrel between people (Luke 23:11-12).
Biblically, reconciliation is the restoration in relationship between God and man or man and man, to bring about friendship, peace and unity (Eph. 2:13-16). As natural men, we’re bond to the flesh to do according to its lust; and its lust is never the will of God. So, because of our sinful deeds (i.e. wicked works), we became enemies of God and alienated from Him. Still, man had no power to do anything about it.
Therefore God came in the form of flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and sacrifice Himself for our sins. And through His blood He shed on the cross, Christ made peace between God and man, and reconciled all things in earth and heaven unto God (Col 1:20-21, Rom. 5:6-10).
Point : 2 MAINTAINING THE STATE OF RECONCILIATION:
The purpose Christ reconciled man back to God is to present man holy, without fault (i.e. un-blameable) and un-reprovable (i.e. without rebuke) in the sight of God. However, this state of reconciliation remains intact for believers, if we continue in the faith and put the grace of God into work to remain grounded and settled (i.e. established) in the truth and do not deviate from the hope of the gospel (Col. 2:22-23). This hope of the gospel which Paul and other apostles preached is that Christ will appear one day in the sky (i.e. rapture) to take His saints, who maintains purity i.e. holiness (1 Jn. 3:2-3, Col. 3:4-9).
If you believe Christ has reconciled you; are you maintaining this state of purity? These are some of the mysteries that were hidden from the beginning, but are now revealed to God’s saints. It pleased God to make these mysteries known to the gentile saints, that the life of Christ in a saint is the riches of this mystery and the hope to be glorified (Col. 1:25-27).
This is why Paul labour mightily through teaching and preaching, to warns every man, so as to present men perfect in Christ Jesus (Col.1: 28-29). Many preachers say, “none can be perfect”, but the Scripture says, “Be ye … perfect…” (Matt. 5:48). Who will you obey?
