Bible Studies

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Colossians 1:22 NLT: “Yet now He has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in His own, physical body. As a result, He has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault.”

Thesaurus Fun:

Physical – material, objective, real, tangible
Blameless – innocent, spotless, clean, unblemished, irreproachable, guiltless

Without a Single Fault

Once, we were separated from God by our fallen nature and by our sin. We were His enemies in our thoughts, actions, and hearts. But God would not leave us that way. And so, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)”. Through His death, we have been reconciled to Him. We are so familiar with these things that they sometimes lose their proper impact. Read the verse at the top again. Jesus rescued and reconciled us by taking our punishment in His own physical human body. This is more than some point of theology or doctrine. This is real, physical, and historical. God laid on Christ the sins of us all, and bearing our sin He experienced all our guilt, shame, and separation from God.

It was more than mere physical anguish; it was spiritual, emotional, mental, and relational. For Jesus had known nothing but perfect relationship with the Father until that moment. It was His dread of that moment that caused Him to cry out to His Father that the cup pass from Him if it were possible (Matthew 26:39&42) but it was not possible. His substitutionary death was the only way we could be saved. For, “there is no one righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10)”. Apart from Him we were “dead in trespasses and sin (Ephesians 2:1)”. So the Son submitted Himself to the will of the Father in love, obedience, and for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2) on the other side of that cross – the unspeakable joy of the millions of the redeemed throughout history. And now for everyone who truly identifies spiritually with Jesus – in His death – the same is, “made alive with Christ (Colossians 2:13)”.

This new life and forgiveness is more than the hope of heaven someday, it is the joy of restoration to a relationship with God here and now. Salvation is about more than rescue from hell, it’s about a vibrant and growing love relationship with God now. It’s about being changed – free from guilt, shame, and the power of sin right now. It is about the power to live the way that God wants us to through His Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:3). Because of what Jesus has done, we stand in “the very presence of God…holy and blameless…without a single fault. (Jude 1:24-25)” For He has done more than simply forgive us. But as the Psalmist says, “As high as the heavens are above the earth so great is God’s love to those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west so far has He taken our sins from us. (Psalm 103:11-12)”. How far is the east form the west? It is immeasurable for it is infinite. Our sins are more than forgiven and forgotten, they are removed from us entirely and so completely that God sees us “without a single fault”. For God, “has taken the list of accusations against us and nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:14)”. But even more than that God, “is at work in you. Giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13)”. And then He will reward you for all that you have done by His empowering! Praise God for His infinite love, mercy, and grace!

Point to Ponder

Are you feeling guilty, dirty, or condemned? Remember, if you have confessed Jesus as Lord and truly received God’s forgiveness then you are pure in His eyes. He has removed your sins, washed clean by the precious blood of the lamb, and restored you to a relationship with Him. Therefore, if you need to repent then do so but afterward if you are feeling condemned it is the whisper of the enemy – the father of lies. Have you thought about the cross lately and all that He did to rescue you? Go back and read one of these narratives – Matt. Ch. 27, Mark Ch. 15, Luke Ch.23, and John Ch. 19.
Remember: He did it all for you, therefore, endeavor to live in a way that is worthy of His calling on your life – in the power of His Holy Spirit.

Let’s pray, “Lord Jesus, how wonderful is Your name – God our savior – for You alone have saved us from our sin. We are in awe of Your mercy, grace, and love. Help us to see clearly, and as for the first time, the work that You did on the cross where You suffered and died in our place taking our sin upon Yourself. May the reality of Your sacrifice live in our hearts so that it never loses it’s proper impact. Lord, we know that as we confess our sins to You, You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)”. So when the enemy tries to bury us in condemnation, remind us that “who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then can condemn? No one. (Romans 8:33-34)” for, “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)”. Lord Jesus, we commit ourselves to You – forgive us, cleanse us, and heal us. Make this a reality in our lives; that we are now in the very presence of God, holy, blameless, and faultless forever. We thank You for all You have done and are doing for us, in us, and through us. May we live in the light of Your love and grace and in the power of Your Holy Spirit who lives in us. All glory and praise be to You – God of saving grace and boundless love! May we live for You alone every day. In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen!”

See these songs: Unexplainable Love, So Like You, All My Heart, God My Savior

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