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“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.” —Colossians 1:21

What a wonderful truth to know that God Himself has brought us back to a place of friendship and acceptance. We are no longer aliens and strangers, but are received as children by the Father who created us.

How amazing that our holy God provided the way through His own Son. God’s Word has always been such a delight to my soul.

It was 41 years ago that the word of peace and reconciliation was brought to me. As a new believer, I had no knowledge of what this fully meant, but with joy I received it. I didn’t know that God’s ultimate plan was to reconcile all things to Himself though Jesus Christ. I was like the blind man Jesus healed. When asked about what had happened, the man replied, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25). This was about all the knowledge I had. So began my journey to know more intimately the One who saved me.

I didn’t know that reconciliation is one of the key words in Scripture to describe the riches of Christ I had inherited. How rich we are to be reconciled, justified, redeemed, forgiven, and adopted into God’s very own family. No longer enemies, but friends. No longer lost, but saved and justified. No longer slaves but free—and the apostle Paul, who wrote Colossians while in prison, knew freedom. Paul went on to say that we are not only reconciled but that God would present us holy and blameless and irreproachable in His sight. The thought of being holy was beyond my comprehension.

I pondered this and thought if I prayed more and studied more, I would achieve this. Try as much as I could in my own strength, I couldn’t feel holy and blameless. I couldn’t pray enough or study enough to come to that place where I felt holy. It is the truth that set me free!

As I was reading 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24, I discovered the truth when I read Paul’s prayer for the believer, “Now may the God of all peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who has called you, who also will do it.” The word sanctify means holy! It is the work of God in me to will and to do His good pleasure.

It was by faith I was redeemed and reconciled and it is by faith that I trust God Himself to bring me to completion.

How thankful I am that, early in my journey, the truth of Christ’s work on Calvary would be the finished work in me. Oh, the joy to know I rest in Him, knowing He never fails to complete the work He began!

As I continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord, I have peace. I am ever thankful that He never fails. My heart and my desire have always been to bring others to truly hunger after His Word and to understand that the riches of Christ belong to them. The Father has great wealth for us and He has given us the message of reconciliation. This is not only a responsibility, but a great privilege of sharing with others.

God has done His part, and my part is to believe and walk in the light He has given me as I journey along.

Lord, thank You for reconciling me to Your family! I love You!