This past Sunday we studied the passage below:

“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

Our hearts are lifted upward to Jesus as we consider what His death accomplished for us. He has made us new, friends! He has purchased us and will present us before God on our “Presentation Day” as holy, blameless and above reproach. Amazing grace! We know it, but our hearts and consciences so often betray us. A confrontation with our imperfections, stumbling and sins whisper things to us that would seek to weaken our confidence in the finished work of Jesus. That is why I love the reflection below by Sam Storms in his devotional, “The Hope of Glory – 100 Daily Meditations on Colossians.” May it encourage you this week as you take your stand on the finished work of Jesus Christ!

“When your conscience is pricked by the memory of failure and sin, a simple cry of but now will bring healing and hope. When the enemy assaults your soul with reminders of how unworthy you were, a simple cry of “Yes, but now I’ve been made worthy in Christ” will suffice. When he insinuates that no one with history so filled with failure, ingratitude, and selfishness could possibly be a Christian, rebuff him with a hearty and defiant, “But now I have a clean slate and new life and joy and the promise of God’s abiding presence.”Fight the paralyzing power of past transgressions and the crippling fear of what may lie ahead by strengthening your soul with the inspired promise that now, because of Christ and in Christ, you are reconciled and redeemed."

By the way, 24 copies of this book will be available this Sunday in the resource center for $11!

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