Title: Salvation of Man/Colossians 1:21-23
Contents Human Salvation
Col 1:21-23
Sin broke God's harmonious order. After the discord in the Garden of Eden, creation becomes disordered and 'groans' in anticipation of salvation (Romans 8:19-22). Humanity also lost everything because of their separation from God. Humans have been caught deep in the swamp of darkness and emptiness. Man has lost his way in this world where he cannot find the meaning of life and cannot know it. Man and his world are walking towards inevitable death.
But God did not leave the world and mankind to their fate. God has revealed the will of redemption through Christ through the generations of Gaga ever since man first went his own way. 'He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure and foreordained in Christ for the dispensation of the fulness of times, that all things in heaven and on earth might be united in Christ' (Eph 1:9,10) . Through the incarnation, or more precisely, on the cross, God was explaining the basic principle of redemption by reconciling all things with Himself. The chief of these three creations is Christ. He is the beginning, the source, and the lord of all.
On the other hand, if we are satisfied with God's work of redemption, which Paul describes in a very moving way, it will not be of much benefit to us. So, without wandering in the universe infinity or in the world of human analogies, Paul points out what God's redemption serves for man's real, immediate, and personal needs. In this respect, Paul addresses our personal problems and emphasizes the fact that the gospel of Jesus Christ meets the problems of the modern world and the needs of men of every age.
a lost past
'before… Far away' (1:21).
These words of Paul are in line with the sense of belongingness and alienation prevalent in our generation.
The younger generation feels alienated from the society established by the older generation. Older generations feel the same estrangement from younger people. Workers have a they and we are us attitude toward managers, and employers are far from their employees. It is a characteristic of modern society that each person lives buried in their own world in a state where mutual understanding is lacking.
Humans live with dissatisfaction in their hearts even though they have everything they want. After all this and that, humans are still starving. Humans feel that they live alone in this empty world and that no one knows that they are lost in meaningless outer space. In addition, human beings view themselves as victims of this slowly sucked up society, and as prisoners of irresistible forces, acting as a plaything.
Young people may be more sensitive to the alienation of human society than older generations. So it is understandable that they take a stance of challenge and rebellion. They are fighting back against the emptiness of life and their bondage to the idols of the unacceptable reality. This is at least a healthy response that human dignity remains, even if such alienating forces are not always accurately identified.
However, if you think that this alienation that the younger generation experiences together with the older generation simply has some pulsating external factor, it is a big mistake. Paul is
'You who have turned away from your evil deeds and have become enemies in your heart' (1:21)
Said. So Soe-Oe has a belligerent and ill will.
Anyone who has not thoroughly discovered the meaning of life in God and has not found peace in Christ is against God. Such a person is not only a stranger to God, but an alien to God's thoughts, purposes, and providences. Such a person is, in fact, an enemy of God. And those who are fighting with God are those who hold on to others and fight themselves. He has no peace. He blames this for the world. So, they blame their parents, curse the young, and they blame authorities, employers, workers, wives, husbands, friends, rivals, society, and God. Blame anyone except yourself. This is the problem of marginalized people. The problem is within ourselves. This is a biblical diagnosis. So it is we ourselves where the Bible's healing comes into play.
reconciled present
'now… reconciliation' (1:22)
Now peace has been restored. We have peace with ourselves, and we have peace with others. Because we are reconciled to God in Christ.
The root cause of human rebellion is sin. Humans may not be conscious of or acknowledge the cause of this sin, but it is none other than sin that blocks the close bond between man and God and obscures the meaning of life.
Life cannot be established apart from God. If God is not the foundation, center, and goal of man, the direction of life will be shaken out of control and will end in a completely lost life. If human beings want to find reconciliation between themselves and their neighbors, they must first establish unity and reconciliation with God. For that to happen, we must be rid of the sin that separates us from God.
'Now he has reconciled you'
This is God's great work! It is something only God can do. Who can take away sins and forgive sinners? Needless to say, a sinner can't do that himself! Years do not wash away our sins, nor do our good deeds cover them. No one slain can be revived by our goodwill, money, tears, or any other sacrifice, nor can a wasted life be undone! Moreover, there is no way we can bring back the one who was sacrificed on the cross for our sins. But the Lord Himself paid the infinite price for our sins and was reconciled to us.
'Now he has reconciled through the death of his flesh' (1:22).
The Lord came as a real body with the same flesh and blood as ours and died for us.
Once human beings are converted with God, they realize the meaning of life. This world, which was once so trivial, takes on a new meaning, sees the people around you in a whole new light, and the hostility towards neighbors disappears. Man discovers others and himself by seeking God. Those who meet God will have the joy of reconciliation and finally enjoy peace of mind!
This does not mean that all problems will go away. A life of harmony enjoyed as a child of God is relative. Because the world he lives in is in a relationship of enemies with God. So the world throws its sword at the heart of a Christian. That is why the Christian's joy is stained with tears and his peace is stained with suffering. Paul commanded all believers to rejoice (Philippians 3:1). However, Paul himself wept with anguish over the sufferings of other brothers and the contradictions in his life (Romans 9:2; 7:13-25).
perfect future
Absolute final victory is not of this world, but it will come. The day comes when we will stand before God as perfect people because Christ has reconciled us.
'He wanted to present you before him holy, blameless and blameless' (1:22).
The Lord who started the work of peace will complete it according to his promise (Philippians 1:6). The Lord does not leave the promised work unfinished. At present, although the work of the cross has come to an end, its results are still undecided and relative (1 Corinthians 15:27,28,54; 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:7).
But one day everything will be fully revealed. The peace of the cross, often stained by the tears we shed today, will shine in the faces and hearts of all the saints at that time, and in this reconciled world.
'The creation longed for the manifestation of the sons of God, for it was not his will that the creation yielded itself to futility, but it was through him who submitted it. To the liberty of glory, for we know that the whole creation groaned and suffered and suffered together until now, and not only this, but also we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves to be adopted, that is, our body. For through hope we have been saved; and hope that is seen is not hope. Who can expect what we see?' (Romans 8:19-24)
This hope is certain (Hebrews 6:18,19; 1 Peter 1:3-5). One day we will come before God as 'holy, blameless, blameless'.
God is the strictest, fairest and most thorough Judge, but he will find no fault with us introduced by Christ.
How wonderful it would be if we could serve God in accordance with His expectations without disobeying Him! Isn't life in 'heaven' that can fully please God? Then, without sorrow or tears, you will enjoy the peace that Christ's work of reconciliation brings without end.
But now we have to come down to earth and deal with more real issues. Paul made it clear that the perfection of the saints we have been talking about so far still belongs to the realm of hope. We were once Gentiles and enemies, but now that we have been reconciled to God, the time will come when we will appear fully before Him. However, we should not think that the process of refining toward perfection is God's work, but it does not happen without cooperation on our part. The consummation of saints is not magically accomplished in the last days. God, of course, is constantly preparing us for a glorious day between present reconciliation and future perfection. There is no doubt that this is God's work. But we must remember that this is being accomplished in us and through us, in faith and hope, using our perseverance. So Paul exhorted:
“If you remain in the faith and stand firm on the foundation, not faltering in the hope of the gospel that you have heard, this gospel has been preached to all peoples under the world, and I, Paul, have become a minister of this gospel” (1:23).
God Himself has promised to fulfill these conditions. However, God does not automatically accomplish this without our consent or effort. God fulfills all the conditions necessary for the perfection of the saints by activating our will and encouraging our practice (Philippians 2:13). This will not go smoothly without struggles, failures, and tears. However, our salvation will be completed not by our own strength, but by the power of God working in our own weakness (Colossians 1:29; Philippians 4:13).
The Lord of all is also the Lord of our lives. We are clay and you are the divine potter. You can shape us into beautiful vessels that will bring him glory in his eternal kingdom!
This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. In order to bring peace to us who were marginalized, torn apart by struggle, and had no choice but to die, Paul wrote, 'The ... He became a minister of this gospel. Who could ignore such a great salvation and turn away from such a gospel of peace?