God's Great Plan of Reconciliation

In Colossians 1:19-23, Paul addresses the fulness of Christ as God-Man and the doctrine of reconciliation. Salvation is God's joyous work accomplished through the death, burial, and resurrection of His sinless Son, Jesus Christ.

1. God’s Pleasure in Reconciliation (Colossians 1:19-20)
- He found pleasure in the deity of His Son. (Colossians 2:9)
- He found pleasure in using Christ, His Son, for our reconciliation. (Colossians 1:20, 22; Genesis 3:15; Ephesians 2:13-16)

2. God’s Means of Reconciliation (Colossians 1:20, 22)
- Salvation is God’s joyous work. 
- It’s only through the death of Christ. 

3. God’s Goal of Reconciliation (Colossians 1:21-22)
- What is our condition without Christ? Man is alienated, hostile, and engaged in evil deeds. (Ephesians 2:17-19)
- God desires to see us reconciled to Himself through Christ. 
- God’s goal is to present sinners holy and blameless. 
- Through Christ, we can be justified. Justification means just as though I’ve never sinned.

4. God’s Condition of Reconciliation (Colossians 1:23; Romans 3:28; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Saving faith leads to present and future results.
- The condition for reconciliation is faith alone in Christ alone. It’s impossible to put your faith in Christ alone without repentance. (Ephesians 2:8-9)