Reconciliation with God
I was flipping channels the other day when I spotted Star Wars playing, and I was instantly transported back to my childhood. I must have been only 3 or 4 years old when my dad took me to see it, and I remember being so captivated by the theme of good vs. evil.
One of the most shocking moments in cinematic history came in the second film, The Empire Strikes Back, when we discovered that Darth Vader was actually Luke's father. It was crazy to think about how at one time, Vader had been good. He was family. He and Luke had been connected, in relationship, and on the same team.
But now, they stood alienated from each other, and their relationship broken. They became enemies
Enemies of God
When we think about good and evil in our personal lives, most of us naturally place ourselves on the side of good. We see ourselves as generally decent people. We might acknowledge our imperfections, but we certainly wouldn't classify ourselves as evil.
"Darth Vader…that guy is evil—but me? I'm a good person overall."
"If there's a good team and an evil team in this world, I'm certainly on the good team. I'm definitely not on the enemy's team."
This is how most of us would describe ourselves. But the apostle Paul paints a very different picture in Colossians 1:21:
"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior."
(Colossians 1:21)
That doesn't sound like we're on the side of good at all, does it? It's a challenging truth to hear, but let's break down what Paul is really saying.
MINDS
"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior." (Colossians 1:21)
The word that is translated “minds” here in Greek means much more than just “thinking.” As a matter of fact, in the Septuagint (which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament) it is usually translated “heart,” and is used to refer to someone’s disposition.
In other words, what Paul is referring to is the state of our sinfulness…that we have a sin nature.
This is similar to what Paul writes in Ephesians 2, where he says this:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
(Eph. 2:1-3)
“By nature,” in other words, this is who you are. The reality is that all of us are born with a sin nature, and that sin nature produces sins in our lives.
And that is what Paul referenced at the end of the verse in Col. 1:21…
EVIL BEHAVIOR
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. (Col. 1:21)
You have evil behavior that comes from your sin nature.
And again, while we might tend to think of ourselves as good, we are almost always quick to point out that we know we are not perfect…
We notice that we do some things wrong. We lie, gossip, cheat, steal, disobey our parents, and on and on.
The problem is that we just tend to either ignore those things as no big deal, or we think of other people and compare ourselves to them.
But the thing we must remember is that Paul is teaching us the truth about our sin nature (before Christ), which produces sins in our lives, and that has consequences.
ALIENATED FROM GOD
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. (Col. 1:21)
The word alienated here means to be completely ruptured of a former association. To be severed from or cut off from.
Because of your sin nature which produces sins in your life, you are completely cut off from God, alienated from Him, and Paul says that you are enemies.
You are on different teams. He is on the side of good (He is all that is good!). You are on the enemy’s team. You are on the side of evil.
We tend to think we are fine. We’re okay. I’m mostly a good person. Things are going to work out in the end. God’s going to be okay with me because I’m good.
But the reality is that we are not good. You and God couldn’t be further apart. He is on the side of good and you are on the side of evil.
Reconciliation with God
But notice the past tense at the beginning of the verse: "Once you were alienated..."
Paul indicates this was their former state—they were people with a sinful nature who were alienated from God and considered His enemies. But something changed:
"But now he has reconciled you..."
(Colossians 1:22)
To reconcile means to be brought back together. Paul is saying that we were enemies with God, standing on the side of evil while He encompassed all that was good, right, and true. But now we've been brought to His side and are no longer enemies but friends, in relationship with Him.
How did this reconciliation happen?
"But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death..."
(Col. 1:22)
We are reconciled to God through the substitutionary atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ.
As 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Jesus took all of our evil upon Himself to pay the penalty—death—for all of it. Three days later, He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death forever!
Our New Identity
This reconciliation isn't just about forgiveness; it’s about so much more!
"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."
(Col. 1:22)
The moment you put your faith in Jesus, you enter into spiritual union with Him, and He makes you holy. You were filthy and had a sin nature, but now you've been washed clean and are no longer on the enemy’s team. You're made into a new creation, given a new nature, will be used by God for His good purposes.
A blemish (Col. 1:22) is a mark or flaw that ruins perfection. That was you. The black spot of sin stood out before God. But now, Paul says, you've been washed clean, and that black spot is gone. You stand before God in perfect condition, a beautiful new creation.
An accusation (Col. 1:22) means someone blames you for wrongdoing. But because Jesus took all your crimes to the cross and paid the penalty, when you receive His forgiveness, you are no longer guilty before God!
What Reconciliation with God Means for You
If you've placed your faith and trust in Jesus, all these things are true about you. You are reconciled to God. You are holy and without blemish. No matter what Satan tries to accuse you of, God declares you "NOT GUILTY" through Jesus.
So, thank Him! You weren't a good person who just needed a little help—you were completely alienated from God, His enemy. But now, you've been transformed and reconciled to the God of the universe, your Creator!
Continue to walk in faith that you are who God says you are. Trust that you have everything you need in Jesus. Continue to receive from Him as your source of life and identity.
