Colossians 1:21 “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds. . .” This is true of us all before we come to Christ.

1. Alienated and hostile in mind – alienated - estranged, shut out from fellowship and intimacy with God. hostile in mind – by nature we are opposed to God’s rule in our minds. Romans 8:6-8
2. We were - Engaged in evil deeds – actions opposed to God’s law, motivated by a hateful and selfish attitude. Titus 1:15-16. This is who we were . . .

Colossians 1:22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach

1. He has now reconciled you (22) – reconciled – the word speaks of bringing one back to former state of harmony – Romans 5:6-11

2. In His fleshly body through death (22) – fleshly body – God prepared a flesh and blood body for his Son who would then give himself over to death by crucifixion for God’s lost and sinful sheep. John 10:11&15, Hebrews 10:5-18

3. Jesus sacrificed himself - In order to present you before God Holy and blameless (22) – present – is used in the sense of presenting a trophy or prize won by athletic exertion. Jesus redeemed us with his blood so that He could present us to His Father, not as practicing sinners, but - Holy and blameless – sharers in God’s purity – 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 1:4, 5:27, Titus 2:14, Jude 24.

5. Beyond reproach (22) – one that cannot be called into account, unreproveable, unaccusable, blameless – 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Romans 8:1+31-39