Reconciliation Through Christ: Past Accomplishment, Present Reality

Devotional

Day 1: Reconciliation as a Living Reality

Reconciliation through Christ is not just a historical event but a present reality that transforms our alienation into a relationship with God. The death of Christ on the cross 2,000 years ago secured our reconciliation, and it is applied to us when we come to faith. This dual aspect of reconciliation—accomplished and applied—unlocks a deeper understanding of the New Testament. It is a profound mystery that once we were alienated and enemies in our minds, but now we are reconciled through the body of Christ by His death. This reconciliation is a real cancellation of our debt, a decisive act that took place outside of us before we even existed. [03:43]

Colossians 1:21-22 (ESV): "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."

Reflection: Think about a time when you felt distant from God. How can you embrace the reality of reconciliation today to transform that feeling of alienation into a deeper relationship with Him?

Day 2: The Cross and Our Debt

The cancellation of our debt is a real and decisive act accomplished on the cross. This historical event secured our redemption, and we experience its application when we believe, receiving forgiveness and justification. The nailing of our debt to the cross is a historical event that secured our redemption. However, the experience of this forgiveness and justification is applied to us when we believe, when we are united with Christ by faith. This is the moment we receive forgiveness and are justified before God. [05:15]

Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

Reflection: Consider the weight of a debt you have felt in your life, whether financial, emotional, or spiritual. How does knowing that Christ has canceled your spiritual debt change your perspective on these burdens?

Day 3: Justification and Reconciliation by Faith

Justification and reconciliation are secured by Christ's blood and applied to us by faith. This dual aspect ensures our future salvation from God's wrath, allowing us to rejoice in our present reconciliation. Romans 5 further illuminates this truth, showing that our justification and reconciliation are secured by the blood of Christ and applied to us by faith. This reconciliation is not just a past event but a present reality that ensures our future salvation from the wrath of God. [07:42]

Romans 5:9-10 (ESV): "Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you have felt justified or vindicated. How does the assurance of being justified by Christ's blood influence your confidence in facing future challenges?

Day 4: Presentation Before God

God reconciled us to present us before Him, not just to save us from wrath but to bring us into His presence. This reconciliation removes all blame and reproach, allowing us to stand before God with joy. Ultimately, God reconciled us to present us before Him. This reconciliation is not just about being saved from wrath but being saved for God Himself. We are brought into His presence, not with dread, but with joy, as all blame and reproach have been removed. [11:21]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: Think about how you present yourself before others. How can you embrace the truth that you are presented before God as holy and blameless, and let that transform your interactions with others today?

Day 5: Saved to Enjoy God

We are saved to enjoy God, standing before Him with holiness, blamelessness, and irreproachability. This joyful standing is made possible by Christ's death, which absorbed all dread and wrath, making us His treasured possession. We rejoice in this reconciliation, knowing that it was secured by Christ's death and is applied to us now, allowing us to stand before God holy, blameless, and above reproach. [12:15]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: Identify one way you can intentionally enjoy God's presence today. How can you cultivate a daily habit of finding joy in your relationship with Him?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Colossians 1:21-23, we delve into the profound mystery of reconciliation through Christ. Once alienated and enemies in our minds, we are now reconciled through the body of Christ by His death. This reconciliation is not merely a historical event but a present reality applied to us in our lifetime. The death of Christ 2,000 years ago accomplished our reconciliation, and it is applied to us when we come to faith. This dual aspect of reconciliation—accomplished and applied—unlocks a deeper understanding of the New Testament.

The reconciliation achieved by Christ on the cross is a real cancellation of our debt, a decisive act that took place outside of us before we even existed. This cancellation is accomplished through the nailing of our debt to the cross, a historical event that secured our redemption. However, the experience of this forgiveness and justification is applied to us when we believe, when we are united with Christ by faith. This is the moment we receive forgiveness and are justified before God.

Romans 5 further illuminates this truth, showing that our justification and reconciliation are secured by the blood of Christ and applied to us by faith. This reconciliation is not just a past event but a present reality that ensures our future salvation from the wrath of God. We rejoice in this reconciliation, knowing that it was secured by Christ's death and is applied to us now, allowing us to stand before God holy, blameless, and above reproach.

Ultimately, God reconciled us to present us before Him. This reconciliation is not just about being saved from wrath but being saved for God Himself. We are brought into His presence, not with dread, but with joy, as all blame and reproach have been removed. We are His treasured possession, the apple of His eye, saved to enjoy Him forever.

Key Takeaways

1. Reconciliation through Christ is both a historical accomplishment and a present application. The death of Christ on the cross 2,000 years ago secured our reconciliation, and it is applied to us when we come to faith, transforming our alienation into a relationship with God. [03:43]
2. The cancellation of our debt is a real and decisive act accomplished on the cross. This historical event secured our redemption, and we experience its application when we believe, receiving forgiveness and justification. [05:15]
3. Justification and reconciliation are secured by Christ's blood and applied to us by faith. This dual aspect ensures our future salvation from God's wrath, allowing us to rejoice in our present reconciliation. [07:42]
4. God reconciled us to present us before Him, not just to save us from wrath but to bring us into His presence. This reconciliation removes all blame and reproach, allowing us to stand before God with joy. [11:21]
5. We are saved to enjoy God, standing before Him with holiness, blamelessness, and irreproachability. This joyful standing is made possible by Christ's death, which absorbed all dread and wrath, making us His treasured possession. [12:15]
** [12:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Introduction to Reconciliation
[00:39] - Alienation and Reconciliation
[01:13] - The Now of Reconciliation
[01:32] - Redemption Accomplished and Applied
[02:24] - Reconciliation in Our Lifetime
[03:04] - The Historical Death of Christ
[03:43] - Accomplished Reconciliation
[04:24] - The Cross and Our Debt
[05:15] - Real Cancellation of Debt
[06:10] - Faith and Forgiveness
[07:24] - Justification by Faith
[08:12] - Reconciliation and Future Salvation
[09:16] - Application of Reconciliation
[11:01] - Presentation Before God
[12:15] - Saved to Enjoy God

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Reconciliation Through Christ

Bible Reading:
- Colossians 1:21-23
- Romans 5:1-11

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Observation Questions:

According to Colossians 1:21-23, what was our state before reconciliation through Christ? How does this passage describe the change that occurs through reconciliation? [00:16]
In the sermon, it was mentioned that reconciliation is both accomplished and applied. What does this mean in the context of Christ's death and our faith? [03:43]
Romans 5:1-11 discusses justification and reconciliation. How does this passage explain the role of Christ's blood in securing our reconciliation? [07:42]
The sermon highlights that reconciliation allows us to stand before God holy and blameless. What does Colossians 1:22 say about our presentation before God? [00:39]

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Interpretation Questions:

The sermon describes reconciliation as both a historical event and a present reality. How does this dual aspect deepen our understanding of the New Testament? [02:24]
Romans 5:9-10 speaks of being saved from God's wrath through reconciliation. How does this assurance of future salvation impact a believer's present life? [07:56]
The sermon mentions that reconciliation is not just about being saved from wrath but being saved for God Himself. What does it mean to be saved for God, and how does this affect our relationship with Him? [11:21]
In what ways does the concept of being God's "treasured possession" influence a believer's identity and purpose? [12:51]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt alienated from God. How did the message of reconciliation through Christ change your perspective or experience? [00:16]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of faith in applying reconciliation. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith and experience the fullness of reconciliation in your life? [05:50]
Considering that reconciliation allows us to stand before God without blame, how can this truth transform the way you approach prayer and worship? [10:21]
How does the assurance of future salvation from God's wrath influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [07:56]
The sermon suggests that we are saved to enjoy God. What practical ways can you incorporate into your life to cultivate a deeper enjoyment of God's presence? [12:15]
Think about the idea of being God's "treasured possession." How does this identity affect the way you view yourself and your role in the church community? [12:51]
Identify one area in your life where you struggle to feel blameless or holy. How can the truth of reconciliation through Christ help you address this struggle? [10:21]

Sermon Clips

He has now reconciled in his body of Flesh by his death in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him. So, Father, as we focus on this unit right here, our reconciliation, he has now reconciled you, us, in his body of Flesh. [00:00:32]

The reconciliation in some sense happens in our lifetime, not two thousand years ago, but in our lifetime. And yet the reconciliation is in or by his body of Flesh by his death. Now that death is 2,000 years ago, and this now is our lifetime. [00:02:43]

By canceling the record of death that stood against us, how did he cancel it? By nailing it to the cross. So really think of this now, this is two thousand years ago, and on the cross, the record of my debt was nailed to the cross. [00:04:47]

Nobody has forgiveness as an experience before God until they believe, until they are united with Christ by faith. Another word for receiving forgiveness in its bigger sense of being justified, declared right before God, is Romans 5:1. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith. [00:06:02]

My reconciliation, my justification, my forgiveness, my Redemption are accomplished decisively once for all on the cross when Christ purchased them for me, achieved them, accomplished them for me, and then I come into the actual experience of them in the application to me when they are applied. [00:06:39]

Reconciliation already existed because it was by the blood, by the death of Christ. When Christ died, my reconciliation was secured because Christ had me in view as his elect for whom he poured his blood out in a peculiar way, the blood of the Covenant it's called. [00:08:38]

He has now reconciled and that now is a real now, and it means it is applied to me now by faith, but it was rooted in an accomplishment in his body by his death on the cross. So if you get this, so many texts will make sense. [00:09:16]

This Redemption, this reconciliation, this justification, this forgiveness always has two focal points: the point where it is accomplished for me and the point where it is applied to me. And the point of its application and accomplishment is in order to present you before him holy, blameless, above reproach. [00:09:41]

God will not blame you; he has canceled all your blame, nailing it to the Cross. Nobody will be able to bring an accusation or reproach against you, not the devil or not any human being or demon will be able to bring a reproach, an accusation, a blame against you. [00:10:38]

God reconciled us in order to present us to him. Do you see that? Get rid of all the other pieces. God reconciled us in order to present us before him. God wants us before him. God is saving us from his wrath for himself. [00:11:36]

We are saved to enjoy God. We are saved to stand before God, and it will be a joyful standing. Yes, I'm sure we will tremble, but it will not be the trembling of dread because all the dread has been removed by the death of Jesus to absorb all the dread wrath of God. [00:12:18]

We can stand before him and leap for Joy because he wanted it that way. He gave his son to make it that way. We are, in a sense, his treasured possession, the apple of his eye. [00:12:51]

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Reconciliation Through Christ: Past Accomplishment, Present Reality

Devotional

Day 1: Reconciliation as a Living Reality

Day 2: The Cross and Our Debt

Day 3: Justification and Reconciliation by Faith

Day 4: Presentation Before God

Day 5: Saved to Enjoy God

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Reconciliation Through Christ: Past Accomplishment, Present Reality

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