Today’s Reading

Colossians 1:21-23

Introduction

Responding to real questions – rather than us deciding what needs to be taught

1 Peter 3:15 – reasons for the hope we have

How do we receive faith/salvation in the first place?

• This passage helps us – v.21 – we once were alienated and estranged from God

• Being out of relationship with God affected our whole being (v.21)

• God worked to reach us and rescue us in Jesus

• V.22 – but its God’s work – we can’t do anything to help, we can’t do anything to win favour with God – its all His undeserved kindness

• So faith in this God of grace = being reconciled to God, seen as holy (v.22)

• Two things – God has done all this – but we need to grasp hold of it by faith –

• God’s choice to see us not as we are, but to see us through the lens of Jesus

Can we lose this?

• When God has given us so much, why would we ever want to turn away from it?

• V.23 – vital ‘if’

• God has done incredible things for us in Christ, but still needs to be worked and lived out

• Hebrews 6:4-6, 1 Timothy 1:19-20, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Matthew 7:21-23

• All that has been given is never withdrawn, God is forever faithful but we can end up drifting away

• Not a precise moment where we move from one position to another – God knows the deepest desires of our hearts

• But keeping close and connected to Jesus is our responsibility

• God doesn’t move away from us – if we feel distant from him consider what we can do to draw near

How do we keep going?

• We need to take responsibility to walk in all God has given us

• Jesus – take up cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23)

• When we mess up there is unlimited grace – but again it needs to be received and taken hold of

• Any relationship can grow cold and stagnant if we don’t keep investing in them – our relationship with Christ is no different

• Step into God’s grace by faith each day