Restored Through Christ
Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him
Colossians 1:21-22 (CSB)
People seek to restore themselves through various programs, affiliations, and lifestyles. They strive to find redemption through programs like AA. They utilize self-help books and strategies to improve their lives. They perceive themselves as okay due to their association with the church or their parents. The truth is that every one of these attempts leaves people feeling lost, hopeless, and separated from the Lord. Genuine, true, and authentic restoration comes through a personal relationship with Christ alone.
RESTORED IN HIS DEATH
The apostle Paul told the church in Colossae that they were alienated and hostile in their minds. This state of being meant they deserved eternal death and separation from the Lord. Paul wanted the people to know that restoration from this state was possible because Christ took on the deserved death and could offer restoration since they did not have to pay the price of death, as Christ paid the amount owed. Thus, in the death of Christ, restoration is fully provided for.
RESTORED TO BE PRESENTED
The payment of death by Christ allowed Him to present the redeemed as holy and faultless before the Lord. This presentation did not occur because the individuals were perfect or free from sin, but because the restored were represented in Christ and viewed as righteous by being clothed in His righteousness. Those restored and standing before the Lord are regarded as holy, faultless, and blameless because they are covered by Christ's righteousness and presented before the throne by the Redeemer who restores.
RESTORED IN CHRIST ALONE
Christ alone is righteous. He alone has the power to restore and present the restored before the Lord as blameless, faultless, and holy. Redemption and restoration occur through no one else but Christ. Jesus declared He is the only way to salvation. There is no other name by which anyone is saved except for the name of Jesus. Christ alone is the one who restores the most wretched and broken individuals who cry out in faith for redemption.
QUESTIONS
Why is the death, burial, and resurrection vital to Christ work of restoring the sinner?
Why must we hold to the exclusiveness of Christ for salvation and battle for this truth?
