Song Connection: “You are my All in All” by Gaither Vocal Ban (Link for Video Here)

Theological Talking Point 2

Christ reconciles all things to himself through his death and resurrection.

  • Our greatest need is peace and reconciliation with God: the forgiveness of sin (Col. 1:13-14).
  • There is one true story that accounts for everything and everyone in history: the crucified and risen Christ rescues his entire creation and reconciles all things to himself. (Col 1:19-20; cf. Rom. 8:20-23)
  • This story is hidden wisdom (Col 1:9, 26, 28, 2:2-4), appearing as foolishness to many but revealed by God’s grace to those who believe (Col. 1:26-27).
  • Christ is “the firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:18), and His resurrection is the heart and foundation of the Christian faith. In the Christian story of everything, everything depends on the resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 15:17-21).

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 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 1:18- 23

Devotion

The “R” word really stands out for me.  No, not REST, (Although we all probably need it) rather, the word “Reconciles” from the first paragraph above.  Christ “Reconciles” us to himself to be made right!

We do it with our checkbook all the time, (or should) but this reconciliation comes from Christ.  It involves the wonderful and awesome news that we have been cleaned up, forgiven, made right, through what Christ has done for us on the cross.   The debts, the mistakes, the unrighteousness has been fixed again, and again and again.  And while some may scoff at us for our confession, and laugh at us for our belief, we KNOW that we have been bought with a price, and we belong to Him.

Many Gatherings ago a phrase was used: “Remember, Whose You Are!” 

In your baptism, you belong to Christ, and NOTHING can separate you from that love!  In a world of mistrust, betrayal, dishonesty, false truth, it is so wondrously overwhelming that our God is there for us…

And our students live in that world, and struggle with the sins listed above on a daily basis.  Have you had the opportunity to connect with your students about their “stories”?  Perhaps there is a need for some reconciliation in your group.  Again, as I write this, I am praying for you.  May you come to know, feel and experience the Spirit working reconciliation in your life and in the life of your group.

My computer doesn’t understand this awesome gift of God.  It continues to try and spell check the word “Reconciles” to “Reconciled.”   While the work of reconciliation is done at the cross, this gift, this awesome gift of God continues to be part of my life in Christ. God is continually reconciling Himself to me – over, and over, and over again!     He truly loves me …

…yesterday, today, and forever!

What an awesome God we have! To Him be all the glory!

PRAYER

Dear Father God, we giveYou thanks for the awesome gift of reconciliation You continually work in our lives.  We sin often, thank You for the awesome gift of Your Son, and His sacrifice for us!  We pray that working as Your servants, we may not just be blessed in Your reconciling love, but help to spread that love to all we encounter, this week and beyond!  Please be with (insert, member(s) of your group, and the challenges they face, along with other petitions).  We pray all in the reconciling Name of Christ! Amen

For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

– Romans 5:10 – 11