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Nov 18, 2018

 Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:21-23

 This passage says something profound about the nature of the Christian life.  It tells us something, about the life of someone whose heart has been changed by God's Spirit.  And it tells us something, about the everlasting security of someone whose heart has been changed by God's Spirit.     

           There is also a glorious encouragement here, but the wording of Colossians 1:21-23 must be considered carefully to see the grand statement being made.  "And you . . . he has now reconciled . . . 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 . . . ."

 The text does not say, "If we continue in the faith we will be reconciled to God."  It says, "If we continue in the faith we have been reconciled to God."  Continuing in the faith is not a condition to be met in order to become reconciled to God.  Continuing in the faith, stable and steadfast, is the evidence that we already have become reconciled to God through
Christ. 

 Perseverance in the Christian faith is both a wondrous encouragement and a sober test.  We are able to hold fast to our faith, and will hold it fast, because we have become reconciled to God … and because of this reconciliation Christ will one day present us before God the Father as holy.  This is ultimate security in Christ. 

 The sober test is this … perseverance in the faith is evidence that someone's faith is genuine.  Those who have true faith continue in the faith.  Those who do not continue in the faith only show they have never been reconciled to God in the first place.