… to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation …
Summary: Understanding what believing in Jesus means for us after death is life-changing.
Let’s review the entire passage so far:
“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 …” (Colossians 1:21-22)
Jesus did what he did so that you and I can be with he and his Father. If Jesus had not done what he did, the streets of heaven would be a very quiet place. I suspect there would be a sense of sadness at the loss of God’s great experiment. Instead of being filled with the happy voices of God’s children, Satan, the Accuser (Zechariah 3:1, Revelation 12:10), would gleefully point out our flaws, keeping us and our Creator forever apart.
It doesn’t matter that everything I have ever done will be made known (Matthew 10:26). It only takes one little sin to disqualify someone from heaven. All Satan has to do is highlight one sin, and his work is done. Every single member of the human race would be lost without Jesus.
But Jesus was not about to allow God’s creation to be lost. Instead, he bought our reconciliation with his blood.
The Bible tells us that God cannot “look on evil” (Habakkuk 1:13). It is our immoral behavior that separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Yet, God, in his wisdom, had a plan. His plan was Jesus.
Through his suffering, Jesus opens the door to joining together what has been separated.
Through his resurrection, he resurrects our dead souls, once separated from God by sin, and reunites us with our Creator.
Through his Spirit, he guides us once we admit we are morally blind without him.
Because of his great love, he stands with us on the other side of death, defending us against the accusations of Satan.
Each time the Accuser points to our failings, Jesus responds, “I’ve paid for that one, too.” Because of the great price he paid, there is no accusation left that will keep us from our God.
Because of Jesus’ great love, we are legally and morally holy, “without blemish and free from accusation.”
Application: Repent and believe!
Food for Thought: How does knowing what Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross means for us after death impact how we live our lives before death?
Pressing On !
Waking up every day with a strong desire to do the will of our father . I am certain God himself puts the desire in our hearts .
WKU
Thanks WKU!
That is soooo true!
2 Corinthians 5: 15 instantly came to mind: And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
So did Galatians 2: 20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Thank you Rich!
I love how you pull to mind Scriptures that say what you want to say!
Thanks brother. Hopefully it is what God is saying in Scripture.
It’s a powerful reminder of God’s love and sacrifice. I like that you’re calling attention to how Jesus paid for it all with his physical body.
Thank TMI!
Yes … it is good to be reminded how much our salvation cost. That certainly keeps us humble!
Live life in a manner worthy of the One who redeemed us:
Colossians 1:10 So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Live life that demonstrates He lives in us:
Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Thank you, Chris.
Paul’s emphasis on “Be kind to one another” sums it all up.
Love others as we are loved!
ALL GOOD!
How does knowing what Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross means for us after death impact how we live our lives before death?
We are each sinful beings confined to these physical bodies and our turning from sin, to God, begins with the work of the Holy Spirit as described in John 6:44, John 16:8.
We then begin the process of cleaning and receiving as we yield ourselves to a life of conviction and spiritual growth in the power of the Holy Spirit. Each personal path is unique, all have their share of ups, downs as we learn to walk away from sin and pursue a life of righteousness in the power of the Holy Spirit which becomes our preference over the things of this world. Ephesians 2:1-10.
John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 2:2, He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Isaiah 53:5, By His wounds, we are healed.
Luke 23:43, And he said to him, Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.
Thank you, Ron!
Two words in your comment jumped out at me: “yield ourselves…”
That really describes the process of getting out of God’s way.
🙂
Wow great comments.
How does knowing what Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross means for us after death impact how we live our lives before death?
Without fear of death.
Tim,
You make an amazingly important point! Not fearing death changes everything!!
Thank you!