From the Pulpit...

Our worship service consisted of a reading of John 6 and preaching from Colossians 1:21-23, in which we are reminded that Christians were formerly estranged from God, but Christ reconciled them through faith.

In verses 21-23, the focus shifts from the Lord's provision of reconciliation to the individuals who are recipients of that reconciliation. Our condition prior to reconciliation was horrific. We were alienated and enemies of God. The outcome of reconciliation, Christ's goal in the believer's life, is that we would be holy and without blemish. The continuing evidence of reconciliation is that Christians continue in the faith--and if we do not, that is "anti-evidence" of reconciliation.