Colossians 1:20

and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him,. say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.

'THROUGH HIM TO RECONCILE ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF' -As in Creation, Christ is also the active agent in our redemption. And Jesus was chosen, because He was all-sufficient to perform the work.

'RECONCILE' -604. apokatallasso ap-ok-at-al-las'-so; from 575 and 2644; to reconcile fully: -reconcile.

Note the thought of "reconcile FULLY". Christ offers. reconciliation that needs no improvement, addition or supplement. Christ doesn't offer. "basic" or "bare bones" salvation package. When you are saved, you are fully reconciled to God. There is no need for human or angelic mediators (1 Timothy 2:5) to perfect or put on the finishing touches.

Points to Note:

1. God didn't need to be reconciled to man, for God didn't have. problem. Man needed to be reconciled to God (Colossians 1:21). We were the ones who had sinned.

2. God took the initiative in our redemption (Romans 5:6; John 3:16). God was moving toward us, manifesting love for us, even while we were in sin or moving alway from Him.

3. God takes our salvation every seriously. He didn't commit this task to angels. He didn't have. mere man die for the human race. This job, He came down and performed Himself (John 1:1; John 1:14).

4. The word reconcile also infers that we hadn't always been hostile towards God. Sin was. path that we chose (1 Peter 2:25), our lost condition was. result of our own selfish choices (Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 4:17). We weren't born lost, rather we were born pure and innocent (1 Corinthians 14:20).

'ALL THINGS' -Defined at the end of the verse. This means that all men "can" be saved, if they so desire (2 Peter 3:9). The Calvinistic idea of "limited atonement", i.e. Jesus only died for the predestined, is. false concept.

At the same time "all things" doesn't teach that all are automatically saved (Mark 16:16) or that all will eventually be saved at some point in eternity (Matthew 25:46). Jesus made reconciliation possible for all men. Unfortunately, many refuse to accept such an offer (Acts 13:46).

'HAVING MADE PEACE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF HIS CROSS' -The price of such reconciliation (1 Peter 1:18). 'Peace' with God couldn't be purchased "cheaply" or effortlessly. This should let us know how selfish and just plain evil every sin really is.

Points to Note:

1. 'In the death of Jesus, God is saying to us, "I love you like that.. love you enough to see my Son suffer and die for you."...and. love like that demands an answering love. If the Cross will not waken love in men's hearts, nothing will.' (Barclay pp. 122-123)

2. 'The fullness of the Divine energy is manifested in Christ in the work of reconciliation as well as in that of creation.' (Bruce p. 74)

3. 'Man needed to be reconciled to God, but God took the initiative. In all the other religions of the world, men are seeking God; in Christianity, God is seeking men. He has undertaken the work of reconciliation. He has removed the obstacles (or made their removal. possibility). He has provided an atonement for sin. He has issued his appeal and he has sent forth the gospel messengers..' (Erdman p. 57)

4. Obviously, this reconciliation is only available in Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Look seriously at this context. To argue that one can be saved outside of Christ, apart from His sacrifice is to claim. terrible doctrine, i.e. my own goodness or sincerity can cleanse me from sin IN. MANNER EQUAL WITH THE BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD.

'THROUGH HIM' -Again it is stressed that the ONLY means of reconciliation that exists between man and God is the Son of God. And why not? We shouldn't have. apologize for such. truth. Look at Jesus Christ, is any religious leader His equal? Did Buddha bring everything into existence? Did Joseph Smith die for our sins? Does Mohammed hold the universe together? Was Karl Marx raised from the dead? Where all things created "in" Timothy Leary? Look, if God Himself, the Creator in the flesh had to die for our sins, then shouldn't that tell you something? There is no other way.

'WHETHER THINGS UPON THE EARTH, OR THINGS IN THE HEAVENS' -

Point to Note:

Considering the following facts: (a) In Scripture it is people who are reconciled to God. (b) No salvation is provided for angelic beings who sinned (Hebrews 2:16; 2 Peter 2:4). (c) Man is the only morally responsible being on the earth (Genesis 1:26).. must conclude that the "things" in the above verse only refers to "people", i.e. Jesus died for everyone so all could have the chance to obey the gospel and be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Therefore, the "things" in the heavens, could refer to the O.T. faithful who were redeemed by the blood of Christ also (Hebrews 9:15).

HOW WE ENDED UP IN NEED OF RECONCILIATION: