Colossians 1:21 (ESV)
[21] And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
This is perhaps one of the most difficult verses in this chapter, or at least in verses 9-23 which we will be looking at on Sunday. It is easy to understand why Paul is praying for knowledge, wisdom and understanding. It is easy to understand why he wants the Colossian Christians to be strengthened with the power of God. I don't understand fully the greatness, nature and power of Jesus, but I can accept that. He is God and God is so much higher than I am that I would be more concerned if I thought I did fully understand him. But what is often difficult for us to accept is this truth in verse 21.
Every believer was once alienated and hostile in mind toward God, doing evil deeds. We tend to think of ourselves as pretty good people. Even when we admit to our "problems" we usually have a justifying statement to follow. "Yes I have a problem with anger, but I've never hit my wife." "Yes, I look at pornography, but I would never actually cheat on my wife." "Yes, I cheat on my taxes, but the Government is using my money to do things that I consider immoral." "Yes, I used foul language, but I was so frustrated it just came out." We have thousands of them, excuses for why our bad behavior really isn't so bad, why someone else is worse, or why it is really not our fault.
On top of the fact that we like to think of ourselves as pretty good people, there is also the truth that we all know really nice sinners. Bar buddies are often quicker to cough up money to help a neighbor in need than is the church. We all know unbelievers who are incensed and outraged by the bad and/or immoral behavior of others. We all know unbelievers who are polite, honest and hardworking. So how can it be true that apart from Christ they are alienated, hostile in mind and doing evil deeds?
That is what makes this verse so difficult. But the truth is, we are using the wrong measuring stick. If you are trying to build a bridge across the Grand Canyon and you have three 2x6s, one 3 feet long, one 6 feet long and one 12 feet long, the 12 foot 2x6 looks pretty long compared to the other two. If you were just sitting looking at the 2x6s you might even conclude that the 12 footer will probably be sufficient. It is when you turn and look at the expanse between you and the other side that you realize they are all insignificant and insufficient. Similarly, when we compare people to people, some look really good. Some unbelievers even look more moral than some believers. But we are measuring 2x6s when we do that. We are so far removed from who we were created to be that we cannot even comprehend the correct measure. God says it like this, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) We were designed to reflect the glory of God to the rest of creation. We fall so far short of that we are like comparing the weak light of an almost dead flashlight to the light of the brightest lighthouse. In the darkest night any light looks bright until someone flips the switch on the lighthouse.
The good news of the gospel is not that we can change. The good news of the gospel is that God has changed us. He built the bridge across the canyon and carried us across to the other side safely. We didn't help him. We can't add to the work or make the bridge stronger. We simply trust him. He is the grand architect and builder. We were once "alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds," but God, by his grace, turned us into friends when we believed.
Father, thank you for your grace. Forgive me for somehow thinking that I can in any way add to the work on Christ on the cross. I rest in your grace.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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