But Now...

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation -- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out inn the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I Paul have become a servant." Colossians 1:21-23 NIV

We were all "alienated from God" in our lives. Our minds could not think His thoughts and our lives could not reflect His glory and goodness. We were enemies in our minds of that which brings healing, hope and deliverance to all humanity. When we fight against the very thing that can bring hope and healing, we will eventually bring to ourselves the very opposite of what we need. "But now..." oh how I love such phrases in the Word. But God, But now, etc.... Such hope is given because before we even knew life , the Lord undertook to do for us the very thing needed for us to live - He reconciled us through His own physical body by death on the cross. He used His own blood to cleanse us and give us life. John says we now have eternal life.

He did this to present us to Himself without anything wrong with us (no blemish) and so free and clean that no one can effectively accuse us of anything - He has already paid for it all and provided for it all. Such provision is beyond our ability to think. In Ephesians 1 Paul talks about this event occurring actually before the world was created. So in the mind of Almighty God, we were saved, delivered, healed and made completely free of sin before the foundations of the world were laid. Now that will stretch most of our minds a bit.

Then comes the together part. One thing we need to realize is that all God has done for us is available, but we must engage in order to activate it on our behalf. He has done all of this so we could have relationship in Him; so we could be included. His great works and sovereignty are activated by our involvement with them. So this passage involves us -- "If you continue in your faith, established and firm and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel." This good news is full of the expectation of good things in Him. As we hold very firmly to that hope and continue to trust Him -- all is lavished our direction through His great love and grace.

I am so blessed to have Him with me and in me. I know He will accomplish all that concerns us. He is truly an awesome Lord!

To my precious readers: Thank you for being a part of this project - me writing almost daily. I so appreciate you - who ever you might be. I am having a delightful time in the Lord writing these. It has been my joy for the past month to preach each Sunday morning in a couple of different small churches in my area - allowing the Pastors to take some much needed time away. I am so bless to have a Lord who anoints and walks with me - whatever the call. This gospel is truly good news and a joy to proclaim - in any venue! Bless you for being a part by reading. Have a marvelous day!