Reconciled for Holiness

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:21-23)

We were once alienated—hostile in mind and doing evil deeds. This isn’t just a theological label—it’s a mirror to our natural state. Sin doesn’t just separate us from God because He’s holy; it separates us because we want the distance. We hide, justify, numb, and self-soothe, trying to feel “good enough.” But feeling better in ourselves doesn’t save us. We could never reconcile ourselves to God. He had to be the one to initiate, to act, to reconcile us to Himself.

But God’s goal wasn’t just to buy us a ticket to heaven. His aim is far more personal and transformational: to present us holy, blameless, and above reproach before Him. That’s a process of sanctification—not just a moment of salvation. And it hinges on faith, not just once believed, but continually lived out. “If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel…”

This is an abiding obedience—not striving to earn, but trusting to receive. We can’t hinder His desire for us and expect to see His fullness in us. But when we walk in that faith, allowing Him to shape and sanctify us, we align with His desire to make us holy in His sight.

Paul’s words here reflect his role as a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20)—not just introducing people to the gospel, but urging us to continue in it. Reconciliation isn’t just the beginning of salvation—it’s the very substance of it. So we continue, stable and steadfast, not surprised by trials (1 Peter 4:12–13), but rooted in hope.