Scripture Reference: Colossians 1:21-23
Their present reconciliation (verses 21b-22) – Continued.
Blameless means “without blemish.” The word was applied to the temple sacrifices which had to be without blemish. It is amazing that God looks at His children and sees no blemish on them! God chose us to be “holy and without blame” (Ephesians 1:4).
Above reproach means “free from accusation.” Once we have been reconciled to God, no charges can be brought against us (Romans 8:31-34). Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:1-12), would like to hurl charges at us; but God will not accept them (see Zechariah 3). People may have accusations to bring against us, but they cannot change our relationship with God.
The most important thing in our Christian lives is not how we look in our own sight, or in the sight of others (1 Corinthians 4:1-4), but rather, how we look in God’s sight. Pastor Wiersbe recalled counseling a Christian who was in the habit of reminding herself of her past sins and failures. He stated that she seemed to enjoy having other people criticize her. The pastor kept reminding her of what she was in God’s sight. Her constant emphasis on her failures denied the work that Jesus Christ had done for her on the cross. He stated that It did take time, but eventually she accepted her wonderful new position in Christ and began to get victory over criticism and depression.
Paul’s emphasis on our holy standing before God was certainly an attack on the false teachers, for they promised their followers a kind of “perfection” that nothing else could give. “You already have a perfect standing in Christ,” Paul wrote, “so why seek for it anywhere else?”
Their future glorification (verse 23). “The hope of the Gospel” means that blessed hope of our Lord’s return (Titus 2:13). Paul had already mentioned this hope: “The hope which is laid up for you in heaven” (Colossians 1:5). Later in the chapter, he called it “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
There was a time when these Gentile Colossians were without hope (Ephesians 2:12). The reason? They were without God. But when they were reconciled to God, they were given a wonderful hope of glory. All of God’s children will one day be with Christ in heaven (John 17:24). In fact, so secure is our future that Paul stated that we have already been glorified! (Romans 8:30) All we are waiting for is the revelation of this glory when Jesus Christ returns (Romans 8:17-19).
Paul’s statement to the Colossians seems to cast a shadow on the assurance of our future glory (reread Colossians 1:23). Is it possible for a true believer to lose his salvation? No, the if clause does not suggest doubt or lay down a condition by which we “keep up our salvation” by our continued works.
Paul used an architectural image in this verse, that of a house, firmly set on the foundation. The town of Colossae was located in a region known for earthquakes, and the word translated “moved away” (again in Colossians 1:23), can mean “earthquake stricken.” Paul was saying, “If you are truly saved, and built on the solid foundation, Jesus Christ, then you will continue in the faith and nothing will move you. You have heard the Gospel and trusted Jesus Christ, and He has saved you.” Remember, He has saved you, nothing of yourself has achieved that.
In other words, we are not saved by continuing in the faith. However, we continue in the faith and thus prove that we are saved. It behooves each professing Christian to test his own faith and examine his own heart to be sure he is a child of God (2 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10-12).
Paul shared the Gospel message with those in Colossae though he had not met them yet. He shared the assurance that they had in Christ Jesus and therefore we can surmise the same principle that Paul used with the Colossians, we can use today in sharing the Gospel message with those around us.
Though it seems gloom and doom is all about us, we can share God’s message of hope and assurance in Jesus Christ.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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