We are either moving toward God with Jesus, or away from God without Jesus. Which is it for you?

¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:17-18

The battle for our minds has been going on since the Garden of Eden. Getting us to doubt God and His commands and promises is something at which Satan is extremely good. Even with the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit, we still struggle with our thoughts. But, here is His promise:

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.  Colossians 1:21-23

1. We were alienated from God by our evil behavior, but it wasn’t our behavior that alienated us. It was what we thought that alienated us. In order to do evil, we must turn away from God, but He has always loved us. In fact, He loved us enough to come to earth in human form–Jesus–and die for us.
2. Death is the consequence of sin. Jesus took that consequence to the grave and left it there, coming out on the other side and offering us that same experience through Him!
3. Because we have “died” in Christ, sin no longer has a hold on us. From now on, we are training to be children of the King. In Christ, we know that He will present us holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation. His blood has washed us white as snow! We are not covered–we are clean!
4. The “if” here calls attention to the fact that our choices matter. Yes, He will present us without fault and with great joy to the Father (Jude 24), but our choices now matter to our lives and our testimony to others. We are light-bearers; let’s live our lives accordingly.
5. Established and firm, immovable in our faith. How do we get there? By immersing ourselves in all things godly and by abstaining from all things worldly. Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Even so, it is our goal, our aim, and our highest purpose. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can strive to move “higher up and further in.”

We have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s rejoice today in Him:

⁵⁷ but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in 
the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58

Abba, I don’t know why, but You love us and have already promised us that when we get to where You are, we will be righteous, blameless, pure and holy. Bless You! Praise You! Until then, we will strive to live with You and for You. May You receive all the glory, Lord. Amen.