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 Colossians 1:21-23 - Good News and Responsibility

        Good morning!  Excited to be back in Virginia after a week in Canada.

        So, this is the Good News.  Anyone can be reconciled to God (1:21).  Today’s enemies of God can be tomorrow’s servants of Christ.  A Hells Angel, a mobster, even a Saskatchewan farm kid like me.  Any person can be transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of his dear son (1:12).

        God, who holds all creation together, who existed before anything else, loves us.

        He rescued us, transferring us from the kingdom of darkness to His Kingdom.  The dear Son purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.  Jesus Christ is an infinite magnitude more powerful and authoritative than anything or anyone.  Our evil thoughts and actions - yes, you know what they were - separated us from God.  But by the Cross of Christ God has reconciled you (and me) to Himself through Christ’s death.

        You and I are now in God’s presence.  We have Christ alive in us.  That’s the secret to life.  We are holy and blameless as we stand before Him without a single fault.  That’s why I am a Christian.  You must recognize your sin, the Cross of Christ, and receive His forgiveness.  That is new life in Christ.

        We are blameless now through Jesus Christ our Rescuer.  Through Christ’s death, we have no single fault.  Yes, we sin.  We are sinners.  But we are born again, new creations in Christ and we have standing.  Standing reconciled with the Mighty One.  That’s the good news.  But God does not stop there.  That’s not His way.  He has a purpose for His Church on earth.  He expects her to honor Him and represent Him as intended.

        You will see some today who mingle with fraud, hypocrisy, greed, and manipulation.  They are spiritual gaslighters.  Rather than recognize that there is no righteousness without repentance they opt to pretend all is well as they live at odds with the clear teaching of Scripture - they are spiritually gaslighting you.  It looks good, that Chrstianese.  Worldliness mixed with platitudes.  But, it's a rotten cake.  Don't buy it.  

        We have a responsibility to God.  We must continue to believe this truth of the Good News.  And we must stand firmly in it.  Yes, you will face opposition in life.  That’s reality.  Life is hard.  The Christian life is hard - despite what the prosperity preachers teach.  Don’t worry about them, God’s got that covered.

        Every person has the opportunity to act justly, deal fairly, and uphold and fulfill the Royal Law of Christ by helping the poor and the needy (Isaiah 10:1-2).  So many Christian organizations forget this today.  We think we can rely on fat bank accounts and prosperity and past battles won by saints of a different generation to protect us.  But that’s not God’s economy.  Today is the day to turn to God for help - tomorrow may very well be a day late.  Serious question.  Who do you rely on in your organization?  Do you really lean on the Holy Spirit?

        Yes, of course, Jesus Christ is the God of love and mercy.  But He also holds a rod of justice along with an axe and a saw (Isaiah 10).  God can, does, and will apply His justice.  Faithfully trust Jesus today.  He is the Holy One, Mighty God.  Let’s work hard today as we live as intended by God - applying the secret of life well, God in us and with us.  Love others.  Help others.  Pray for others.  Ask God today for spiritual wisdom and understanding and lead well.

        Lord Jesus, please increase our belief in the Mighty One and our understanding.  We know the rod that is in Your hand.  Help us not to drift away from the assurance we have from You and let us know with certainty the responsibility You give us today.  Amen.



I saw this honey from the town where I was born.  Saskatchewan makes the best honey in the world!


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