Reconciled by the Cross of Christ

Introduction

Have you ever had to reconcile with someone? Somehow you hurt or wronged them and the relationship was estranged. Then, through repentance and making things right, you were able to restore a relationship. Perhaps someone else mediated the reconciliation between you and your friend. Two men who have greatly impacted the modern church gave their lives in effort to reconcile people. Martin Luther, the great reformer, died after catching a cold on his way home from mediating reconciliation between two estranged brothers. John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, also died while mediating between an estranged father and son. In another case, a man and his wife became estranged and each moved to distant portions of the country. The man eventually had business back in his home town. While there, he went to the cemetery to visit the grave of his only son. A footstep behind him recalled him from fond memories. There stood his wife who had also come to visit the grave. There they were reconciled because of their common interest in their son who was dead. These stories are a little picture of the broken relationship between every person and God. And those whose deaths facilitated reconciliation are wonderful pictures of the work of Jesus Christ who died to reconcile sinners to God. Colossians 1:19-23 speaks of Christ’s work of reconciliation. Learn more about this beautiful reality in this study of the passage.

Observation

Pray

As you begin to study this passage of Scripture, go to God and ask Him to make it clear to you. Ask Him to give you wisdom through it and to show you what must change in your life so that you can please Him. He desires to give you understanding if you will ask for it in humility.

Read Focus Verses

Carefully read Colossians 1:19-23. Try to follow what it is saying about Christ’s work and how it applies to your life.

Context

Colossians 1 is a very tight passage. The verses are tightly woven together and communicate a unified message. To understand today’s passage better, read it in context by reading Colossians 1:13-23.

Keyword – Jesus

Use this cross again to mark the words having to do with Jesus.

The Redeemer

Mark every reference to Jesus Christ in Colossians 1:19-23. Don’t forget the pronouns (He, Him, His).

Keyword – Reconcile

Also mark the word reconcile, which appears twice in this passage and serves a key role in explaining these verses.

Reconciled

Mark the word reconcile in Colossians 1:19-23 to see its key role in this passage.

Fullness

In Whom does all the fullness of God dwell?

The Cross

What does verse 20 say that the cross brings?

Estranged

What had estranged Christians from God according to verse 21?

Reconciled

How was that estrangement ended in verse 21?

Through Death

How does verse 22 say Christ presents His people to the Father because of His death?

Evidence

What is the evidence of a true believer in verse 23?

Interpretation

Fullness

Colossians 1:19 is further explained by Colossians 2:9. Read the passage and notice the connection.

Who He Is

If someone asked you how you know that Jesus is God, how could you use these verses to answer their question?

Enemies

Romans 5:10 also speaks of us as enemies who were reconciled by Christ’s death.

Reconciliation

This passage speaks of Christ reconciling us to God. Reconciliation is a strong term. Take a moment to understand it better.

Filthy Rags

Perhaps you consider yourself a pretty good person. You may not feel that you’ve done a lot of wicked works (verse 21) which would have estranged you from God. Read Isaiah 64:6 to get God’s perspective on your works.

One More Piece

Romans 6:23 will add one more piece of the puzzle to explain why Christ’s death was required for this reconciliation.

Death

When you put all of these passages together, why did Christ have to die so that people could be reconciled to God?

Made Holy

Colossians 1:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 both speak of the reconciliation Christ works between people and God beyond just taking away the guilt of sin. What is also necessary for people to be accepted by God?

His Robes for Mine

From these verses we see that in salvation a wonderful exchange is made. Christ takes the sinner’s sin and guilt along with its penalty of death. But that is not enough to reconcile a sinner to a holy God. Christ’s righteousness is given to the sinner in exchange for his sins so that now it is like he is spotlessly righteous as Christ is. This hymn expands on that glorious truth.

Reconciled to God

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 expands on the idea of our being reconciled to God. Read the passage slowly taking time to think about how God brought about reconciliation between Himself and sinful people who were His enemies.

Taking Root

Jesus speaks of this same truth of true Christians continuing in the faith in His parable of the soils in Luke 8:4-15.

Continue

In Colossians 1:23 we see that an evidence of a true believer is continuing in the faith and hope of the gospel. This is one of the main themes of the book of Hebrews. Read Hebrews 3:13-14 to see one of its warnings that a true believer must persevere.

Look-Alikes

When you look at these passages, can someone look like a Christian in the beginning and not be one for real?

The Difference

From these passages, how would you explain the difference between a true believer and someone who looks like one?

Application

Reconciled to God

Have you been reconciled to God as this passage describes it? Why do you say that?

Perseverance

As you look at your life, do you see your faith increasing and rooting down into Christ, or has your faith been shaken by troubles? What is the next step based on this study?

Ministry of Reconciliation

If you have been reconciled to God and are holding fast your faith, 2 Corinthians 5 says that you have a ministry of reconciliation in calling others to be reconciled to God. How can you fulfill that ministry today?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has given you a better understanding of Christ’s work of reconciliation between people and God.

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