And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds – Colossians 1:21
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In the opening section of Colossians, Paul gives thanks for the believers’ faith, love, and hope in Christ. The gospel had already begun to bear fruit among them. Yet Paul also knows that the Christian life is not merely about how it begins, but how it continues. Therefore, in today’s passage, he reminds the believers who they once were, what Christ has done for them, and how they are now called to live.
Paul begins with a sobering description: “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds…” (v.21). Before Christ, humanity was alienated from God and hostile toward Him. Sin had affected not only outward behaviour, but the inner life, the mind and heart. When people turn away from God, distorted desires lead to sinful living, and sinful living further darkens the mind. Over time, the heart becomes comfortable with what is evil and resistant to what is good.
Yet this is not where the story ends. Paul continues: “He has now reconciled [you] in his body of flesh by his death…” (v.22). Reconciliation was accomplished through the cross of Christ. Jesus bore the judgment of sin in His own body so that those who trust in Him might be brought back into fellowship with God. Through His death, believers are no longer enemies of God, but His reconciled people.
God’s purpose, however, goes beyond rescuing us from judgment. Paul says Christ reconciled us “in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” This language echoes the Old Testament sacrificial offerings that were to be without blemish before God. In Christ, God is forming a holy people for Himself.
And this work of transformation is already taking place. God is reshaping our lives according to the pattern of Christ. One day, when His work is complete, believers will stand before Him without shame or fear, but with joy and confidence.
Therefore, Paul exhorts the believers to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel” (v.23). Genuine faith is not sustained merely by emotional moments or spiritual enthusiasm, but by steadfast perseverance, remaining rooted in Christ day by day regardless of circumstances.
In a world filled with competing voices, shifting values, and constant distractions, believers can slowly drift away from the hope of the gospel without realising it. We may still attend church and continue our routines, yet our hearts quietly become more shaped by fear, success, comfort, or worldly thinking than by Christ Himself.
That is why Paul calls believers to remain grounded and steadfast. Just as a building stands firm because it is carefully built upon a solid foundation, spiritual stability is formed through daily trust, obedience, repentance, prayer, and hope in Christ.
The gospel not only saves us, it continues to shape us. As we remain rooted in Christ and steadfast in hope, the fruit of the gospel becomes increasingly visible in our lives through love, holiness, endurance, and faithful witness.
Reflection:
Am I still firmly rooted in the hope of the gospel, or have other hopes slowly taken its place in my heart? In this season of life, what might God be calling me to remain steadfast in?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, thank You that while we were once far from You, You reconciled us to Yourself through the death of Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your grace that continues to shape and transform our lives. Help us to remain steadfast in the faith and firmly rooted in the hope of the gospel. Guard our hearts from drifting away, and continue to form us into a people who are holy, faithful, and full of the love of Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Click to readd passage
In the opening section of Colossians, Paul gives thanks for the believers’ faith, love, and hope in Christ. The gospel had already begun to bear fruit among them. Yet Paul also knows that the Christian life is not merely about how it begins, but how it continues. Therefore, in today’s passage, he reminds the believers who they once were, what Christ has done for them, and how they are now called to live.
Paul begins with a sobering description: “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds…” (v.21). Before Christ, humanity was alienated from God and hostile toward Him. Sin had affected not only outward behaviour, but the inner life, the mind and heart. When people turn away from God, distorted desires lead to sinful living, and sinful living further darkens the mind. Over time, the heart becomes comfortable with what is evil and resistant to what is good.
Yet this is not where the story ends. Paul continues: “He has now reconciled [you] in his body of flesh by his death…” (v.22). Reconciliation was accomplished through the cross of Christ. Jesus bore the judgment of sin in His own body so that those who trust in Him might be brought back into fellowship with God. Through His death, believers are no longer enemies of God, but His reconciled people.
God’s purpose, however, goes beyond rescuing us from judgment. Paul says Christ reconciled us “in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” This language echoes the Old Testament sacrificial offerings that were to be without blemish before God. In Christ, God is forming a holy people for Himself.
And this work of transformation is already taking place. God is reshaping our lives according to the pattern of Christ. One day, when His work is complete, believers will stand before Him without shame or fear, but with joy and confidence.
Therefore, Paul exhorts the believers to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel” (v.23). Genuine faith is not sustained merely by emotional moments or spiritual enthusiasm, but by steadfast perseverance, remaining rooted in Christ day by day regardless of circumstances.
In a world filled with competing voices, shifting values, and constant distractions, believers can slowly drift away from the hope of the gospel without realising it. We may still attend church and continue our routines, yet our hearts quietly become more shaped by fear, success, comfort, or worldly thinking than by Christ Himself.
That is why Paul calls believers to remain grounded and steadfast. Just as a building stands firm because it is carefully built upon a solid foundation, spiritual stability is formed through daily trust, obedience, repentance, prayer, and hope in Christ.
The gospel not only saves us, it continues to shape us. As we remain rooted in Christ and steadfast in hope, the fruit of the gospel becomes increasingly visible in our lives through love, holiness, endurance, and faithful witness.
Reflection:
Am I still firmly rooted in the hope of the gospel, or have other hopes slowly taken its place in my heart? In this season of life, what might God be calling me to remain steadfast in?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, thank You that while we were once far from You, You reconciled us to Yourself through the death of Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your grace that continues to shape and transform our lives. Help us to remain steadfast in the faith and firmly rooted in the hope of the gospel. Guard our hearts from drifting away, and continue to form us into a people who are holy, faithful, and full of the love of Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.