Colossians 1:19-23: Reconciled Enemies

I. Text: Colossians 1:19-23

II. Our past state before God

A. Aliens and Enemies

B. Outside of the kingdom of God and His enemies

C. Sinful and hopeless condition

D. Chart 1: Ephesians 2:12 – without hope Chart 2: Ephesians 4:17-19 – Aliens by evil deeds

E. It was in this state of rebellion that Christ offered Himself to save us.

III. Reconciled to God

A. Brought near by Christ’s sacrifice ( Chart 3)

B. Ephesians 2:13 – Brought near by the blood of Christ

C. The division between the Jews and Gentiles removed The Old Law was removed and the Jews and Gentiles can join to Christ on equal terms. Colossians 1:22 – Reconciled in the body of His flesh Romans 5:10

D. Brought near by obedience to Christ ( Chart 4)

E. Ephesians 4:20-24 – Learned better from Christ and put on Christ, put off the works of darkness.

F. Hebrews 10:20-22 – Washing of water

G. Baptism is the only washing of water commanded in the N.T.Ephesians 5:26-27: “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Chart 5: Linking the Blood and Baptism

IV. Present State

A. No longer enemies, but reconciled

B. No longer aliens, but citizens of the kingdom.

C. Christ, by His power, reconciled us to the Father.

V. Future State

A. Jesus desires to present us holy and blameless before God but it is contingent on continuing in the faith.

B. Some commentators say that since the person has been reconciled this is not a conditional, that is, the person is permanently saved, and so Paul here is just assuming the continuing faith of the saved person.

C. Chart 6: Continuation

D. Chart 7: Is Colossians 1:23 conditional?

E. Problem #1: Paul warns the Colossians in a like manner throughout the rest of the epistle (Chart 8).

F. Colossians 2:4 –(what is the danger if one will not be lost?) Colossians 2:8 – Beware lest anyone cheat you Colossians 2:18 – (how can it be if the reward cannot be taken?) Colossians 3:23-25 – He warns the Colossians that God will impartially punish wrongdoers.

G. Problem #2: We can be moved from the hope of the gospel ( Chart 9)

H. Hebrews 2:1-3 - Do not drift from it

I. Written to Christians Demas – 2 Timothy 4:6 Hebrews 10:35-36 Galatians 5:4 - Do not fall from grace Colossians 2:18 – Not cheated out of your reward Revelation 2:10 – Faithful unto death2 Peter 2:18-22 – Caught in bondage to false teachers/worse state Hebrews 3:4-15 (steadfast is here as well)

J. Problem #3: We can again become enemies of God ( Chart 10)

K. Hebrews 10:26-31 James 4:4 Philippians 3:18 Acts 8:12, 20-23 It is a conditional that implies the reward will be given if the requirements are met (ie., chores – ice cream)

L. Since it is conditional, do not throw away your citizenship and peace with God in order to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.

M. Luke 9:62 “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

N. Instead, let us diligently press towards the reward

O. Grounded and steadfast, Colossians 2:7

P. Planted in firm ground, digging our roots deep for stability and nourishment from God. Growing towards the light of His love, knowledge, and mercy.1 Cor. 9:27 – Run so that you may obtain it; discipline yourself.1 Corinthians 13:5-6 – Test your self to make sure that you are not disqualified.

VI. Seek the glory of eternal life

A. We were sanctified to be holy and blameless ( Chart 11)

B. Philippians 2:14-16 – We strive to become blameless by holding fast to the word of life (here again is disqualification “lest I have run in vain”).1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 – Abounding in love will help us to be blameless

C. 2 Peter 3:14-15 – We strive to be blameless with diligence considering the longsuffering of God on our behalf

D. We must live righteously in anticipation of judgment (11) We must not be led away by error (17-18) We must grow in the knowledge of God (18)

E. 2 Peter 1:10-11.

F. We make our calling and election sure when we continue this growth. Entrance to the eternal home is abundantly supplied if we continue.

VII. Conclusion: Through Christ we can live as citizens, not aliens, friends, not enemies, of God.

VIII. Verses for Blood and Baptism Chart:

IX. Hebrews 10:29 “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”

X. Ephesians 5:26 “[Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,] that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,”

XI. 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

XII. Acts 22:16 “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’”

XIII. Colossians 2:11-12 “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

XIV. Hebrews 9:14 “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

XV. 1 Peter 3:21 “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

XVI. Moved From the Hope of the Gospel

XVII. Galatians 5:4 “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”

XVIII. Colossians 2:18 “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,”

XIX. Revelation 2:10 “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”