Colossians 1:21-23 “Christ’s Work: Our Reconciliation, His Presentation”
“Christ’s Work: Our Reconciliation, His Presentation” is a sermon preached from Colossians 1:21-23, by Michael Beatty, pastor of Covenant Baptist Church in New Berlin, Wisconsin – a confessional Reformed Baptist church subscribing to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
Scripture Reading and Introduction
I invite you to turn in your Bibles with me to Colossians chapter 1.
My intention this morning is to look at verses 21–23 and, next week, to conclude chapter 1.
Colossians chapter 1, beginning in verse 21. Hear the Word of the Lord:
“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him—if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”
Thus far the reading of God’s Word. Please join me as we ask His blessing upon it.
Lord, we ask that you would cause us to hear the voice of Christ this morning in your Word—that in hearing it, we might be changed for your glory and our good. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.
Faith Like Noah’s
If you recall in the book of Genesis, we hear the story of Noah—perhaps one of the earliest stories we hear as children if we grew up in a home where the Bible was present. There’s all sorts of stories and attention upon it.
If you recall, Noah did all that the Lord required him to do in building the ark—down to the very set dimensions and specific instructions. Think, for a moment, how strange that would be: building a giant boat in a land where it had never rained or flooded. They had never even seen a boat.
And yet he builds it. We hear in Hebrews 11 that it was by faith that he did this. Can you imagine how his neighbors reacted? “Noah, what are you doing? You’re building this giant thing—but why?”
Hebrews 11 tells us:
“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household.”
Noah accomplished these things by faith. He believed God and responded accordingly. He is a picture of faith for us—one who lived in a time very different from the coming deluge, yet he believed God’s Word and acted on it.
He was told to enter the ark, and in a short time, all of his neighbors were drowned. In that moment, Noah’s choice was vindicated—shown to be wise. God’s Word proved true. And Noah, in faith, was saved—saved by Christ, through the judgment waters.
Noah’s Example and the Christian Life
What role did Noah have in his salvation or deliverance based on building the ark?
We’d say none, right?
Because he believed God by faith. He couldn’t have foreseen what would happen. He was simply told. But because he believed, he built the ark—and his life and the lives of his family were preserved.
As Romans 14:23 tells us:
“Whatever is not from faith is sin.”
Noah’s work was done in faith. His salvation was by faith, and his life flowed from that faith. It was all to the praise and glory of God.
The reason I wanted to open with this story is to consider how Noah’s deliverance was accomplished—because it helps us understand how the Christian life is accomplished.
As we’ll see in Colossians, the totality of the Christian life is affected by Christ—by His Spirit—and it is by faith that we accomplish all these things.
Review of Colossians 1:1–20
Just consider some of the ground we’ve already covered in Colossians 1:1–20.
We’ve seen that Christ accomplishes everything by His Word.
In verses 1–8, we saw that the Word of Christ was received by the Colossians. Verse 5 says:
“Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit.”
The Word of Christ affects salvation. It comes to sinners and draws them to Himself.
Then in verses 9–14, Paul prays for them to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. Verse 10:
“Pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Again, it’s Christ who works these things. Paul is praying for Christ to add them.
Last week, in verses 15–20, we saw that Christ is supreme and that He reconciles all things to Himself—even now.
So Paul, in all this, has presented to us the work of Christ in the opening of Colossians 1.
Today, we move forward to consider how Christ will present His holy people. This is still the work of Christ—but now the focus shifts to our presentation before God.
The Path from Reconciliation to Presentation
Let’s consider the steps together:
- Jesus has reconciled His people.
- He is conforming them to Himself.
- He will present them blameless on the last day.
That is, in short, the hope the Colossians had in verse 5—the hope of the gospel.
Because we are reconciled, our minds are fixed on Christ. And since we are reconciled, we are engaged in good works. Just like Noah—we believe what Christ has said will be accomplished. We don’t yet see it—but we walk forward by faith.
So today in Colossians 1:21–23, we’ll see how Christ’s work in our reconciliation and His presentation of us stirs us up to walk in Him.
I want to look at this in two points:
- Reconciliation
- Presentation
I. Reconciliation: Christ Has Reconciled His People
Christ has reconciled His people and set them apart as holy.
Let’s first look at this reconciliation.
Alienation and Hostility
Christ has brought us into a reconciled position. That word “reconciled” is the same term used for two parties who were at odds being brought back together.
Look at verse 21:
“You who once were alienated and hostile in mind…”
Christ is bringing us into a new estate. We need to be reconciled because we are naturally alienated from God—hostile in mind from birth. But Christ comes to us and affects a change.
How does He do that?
By atoning for our sins on the cross.
Verse 22:
“He has now reconciled [you] in his body of flesh by his death…”
That’s how we are reconciled—by Christ’s sacrifice of His own body.
Christ’s Once-for-All Sacrifice
Elsewhere we read that He did this not in a tabernacle made with hands. Think of the tabernacles Israel was familiar with—bloody sacrifices repeated constantly for each sin. But Christ was different.
He offered one sacrifice once for all, that we might have forgiveness in Him.
Let me read from Hebrews chapter 9, which speaks to this:
“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands—that is to say, not of this creation—and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
(Hebrews 9:11–14)
Christ went into the heavenly tabernacle and offered the true sacrifice that the earthly shadows merely pointed toward. His sacrifice actually reconciles us in a permanent way.
A Real and Unchanging Reconciliation
That’s great news for sinners like us. What Christ accomplished on the cross cannot be undone. It’s not a paper reality.
You can sign documents, take out a loan, and never even handle physical money anymore. All the movement is electronic. It may not feel real.
But Christ’s work actually changed your estate—not hypothetically, not symbolically, but in reality.
That’s why Hebrews 10 continues:
“Every priest stands daily, ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God…
For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”
(Hebrews 10:11–14)
So Christ is not only the author of our faith but also its perfecter. He completed the work upon the cross.
Our Relationship with God Is Not Like Human Relationships
Christ’s reconciliation brings us into a new state—a new relationship—that does not change.
This is important because we’re used to human relationships, which fluctuate. You say something rude to someone, they respond differently. Say something kind, and they may be warm to you.
Friendships fade. Marriages break. Reconciliations come and go.
But that’s not how it is with God.
Our reconciliation to Him is not arbitrary. Christ has brought us into a new state, and that state does not change.
Who We Were Without Christ
Look again at verse 21:
“You who once were alienated…”
That’s estrangement—like a husband and wife at odds, unable to reconcile their differences.
Paul says:
- You were alienated from God.
- You were hostile in mind.
- You were doing evil deeds.
There was nothing in us that could be called good. We were fully opposed to God.
Who We Are in Christ
But now, verse 22:
“He has now reconciled [you] in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him.”
We are no longer estranged, no longer hostile, no longer producing evil works. Now:
- We are reconciled.
- We are holy.
- We are blameless.
- We are beyond reproach.
These three adjectives describe every Christian—not just so-called “super-Christians,” or saints with feast days. This is how Christ sees all who are in Him.
Set Apart as Holy
The word holy means set apart.
We may not use the word “holy” much, but we understand the concept. Think of grandma’s china—only used on special occasions. You don’t use it to carry out the trash. It’s set apart.
So too are we. We are not for common use. We are set apart for God—for His purposes.
In the Old Testament, this was the idea behind the priesthood, the Levites, and the objects in the tabernacle. And now, under the New Covenant, every believer is set apart for spiritual use.
Blameless Before the Law
Secondly, we are blameless. That is, there is nothing in us that can condemn us before the law.
Galatians 2 tells us that Christ has removed the curse of the law. Therefore, no one can bring a charge against us.
Romans 8 echoes this:
“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.”
(Romans 8:33)
If someone accuses you of sin, you can say: “Yes, and more—but Christ has declared me blameless.”
Beyond Reproach
Finally, Paul says we are beyond reproach.
That means no accusation can even stick. That’s the state we now live in.
And what a glorious estate that is—to be found in Christ!
This is not based on anything we have done or will do. It is because of what Christ has done.
Resting in Christ’s Word Over Ours
Because of that, we should:
- Praise the Lord.
- Serve the living God with a clean conscience.
- Refuse to be ruled by false guilt or accusations—whether from our own hearts or from others.
What Christ has said about you must weigh more than what you say about yourself or what others say about you.
This is especially important in our age, where we’re bombarded with voices telling us who we are, how to think, and what to feel.
Let the voice of Christ be the loudest in your ears.
No Rehabilitation Without Regeneration
To summarize this first point: since Christ’s work of reconciliation has created a new, unchanging state for us, this includes our growth in Him.
Everyone is born naturally opposed to Christ. As verse 21 tells us, their minds are fixed on death—and their works produce death.
No amount of rehabilitation can fix this.
You can memorize Scripture, attend church, do all the right things externally—but unless God regenerates the heart, the person remains condemned.
Christ Alone: Our Mediator and Righteousness
Secondly, we see that Christ’s work accomplishes the totality of our reconciliation.
We’re not looking for another mediator—not a saint, not a pastor, not a spiritual superstar. Christ is sufficient.
Yes, we should pray for one another. But no one else can stand in your place before God. Christ already has—and He’s declared you holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.
The Implications of Our New Identity
Because every Christian is declared by Christ to be holy, blameless, and beyond reproach, that means:
- We are saints.
- We are righteous in His sight.
- And no one can say otherwise.
This leads us naturally to the second major point:
II. Presentation: Christ Will Present Us Before the Father
Not only has Christ reconciled us, but He will also present us.
Let’s return to Colossians 1:22:
“…in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him.”
This is the goal of our reconciliation—to be presented before the Father in Christ.
It’s the vindication of Christ’s work. He presents His people to the Father, and their lives testify to His redeeming power.
The Bride of Christ
The Bible often uses marriage imagery to describe this relationship between Christ and the Church.
Think of human weddings. The bride wears white to signify purity. We play music. We stand and turn when she enters. There is a sense of reverence and awe.
Then comes the presentation—”Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So.”
Now, nothing has changed in their memories or personalities. But legally and spiritually, everything has changed: two became one.
So too with Christ and His Church.
He Has Gone to the Greatest Extent
If a human groom would rise up in defense of his bride when she’s falsely accused, how much more will Christ, the perfect Bridegroom, defend His people?
He has:
- Redeemed her by His blood.
- Set her apart for His holy use.
- Clothed her in holiness.
On the last day, no accusation will stand.
That’s what we see in the second point of Colossians 1:22: Christ presents us before the Father.
A Joyful Presentation with Great Confidence
Look with me at Jude 24–25:
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy—to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time, and now, and forever. Amen.”
This is the hope of glory: to be presented blameless in His presence, with great joy.
So turning back to Colossians 1, the presentation of the saints should not cause anxiety or fear. It should stir up hope.
We know:
- Where we are going.
- How we will be received.
- What the end of our life will look like.
Steadfast Until the End
That’s why Paul, in verse 23, gives this exhortation to persevere:
“If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel…”
This is not a conditional statement that threatens to undo what Christ has done. Paul is not saying, “All this is true—if you perform well.”
Instead, this is a call to remain steady, precisely because Christ has already declared us blameless, holy, and beyond reproach.
No Unfinished Projects in Christ’s Workshop
Verse 23 reminds us:
“If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard…”
This verse does not mean Christ’s work is uncertain. It means the fruit of His work in us is that we will continue.
There are no half-finished projects in Christ’s workshop.
He doesn’t start something and abandon it. As the author and perfecter of our faith, He always completes what He begins.
Christ Keeps His People
Look again at verse 23. It’s teaching us that:
- Christ works stability and steadfastness in His people.
- All those united to Christ will remain in the hope of the gospel.
This is why Jude 24 is so comforting:
“…to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless…”
He keeps us and presents us. This is His work from beginning to end.
Perseverance Through Difficulty
We learn through experience that perseverance is necessary, especially in times of suffering.
When spiritual difficulty comes—and it will—verse 23 calls us to stand fast in the hope of the gospel.
This should also spur us to pray for one another—that we would persevere, that we would remember we’ve been reconciled, and that Christ will present us as holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.
Clinging to the Gospel
Paul’s exhortation is to not shift:
“…not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard…”
We need to cling to the gospel—without moving an inch to the left or right—but fixing our eyes on Jesus.
John 6: A Powerful Assurance
Turn with me briefly to John 6:37–39. These verses speak directly to our security in Christ:
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.
And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me but raise it up on the last day.”
Christ has been given a people—a specific people. And He loses none of them.
That’s the Father’s will—and Christ accomplishes it.
Stability and Steadfastness Are Gifts of Grace
So, returning to Colossians 1:23, the call to stability and perseverance is not something we manufacture.
Christ works it in us.
These exhortations are evidences of grace. They stir us up, yes—but they do not contradict the certainty of Christ’s completed work.
In Christ, We Will Never Be Lost
Do we need to take care lest we fall away? Absolutely.
But for those who are found in Christ, these warnings are tools in God’s hand to keep us clinging to Him.
And so we can say confidently:
All who are truly in Christ will never fall away, but will be presented on the last day as:
- Holy
- Blameless
- Beyond reproach
Application: Resting in Christ’s Verdict
Christian, take heart.
- Christ has declared you holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.
- Why listen to voices that say otherwise?
- Why tell yourself you’re not these things when your Savior says you are?
Are you seeking the approval of man, or of God?
If Christ says you’re holy, why would you believe anyone else more than Him?
Application: Loving One Another Accordingly
If Christ has declared every member of His body holy, blameless, and beyond reproach, then we must also treat each other that way.
Why would we form tiers of acceptance in the church?
- “These are my favorite members.”
- “These others, not so much.”
- “If only so-and-so would just do this or that…”
But Christ has declared them holy. He’s shed His blood for them.
So love them accordingly. Reflect the love of Christ to your brothers and sisters—not based on human preferences, but on Christ’s declaration.
Application: Christ Has Provided All You Need
Secondly, Christ has provided everything we need in this life to persevere.
He has made it possible for us to remain stable and steadfast.
So the question is: Do you believe that?
And do you wait upon the Lord to provide what you need?
We all feel, at times, that a trial or temptation is too much for us. That’s why James calls them trials—because they’re difficult, not easy.
But God has promised to provide for us in the trial.
Ask the Lord for Grace
So let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace to remain in Him.
This is especially true as we come to the Lord’s Table in a short while.
Let us expect to receive grace from Him as we commune with Christ in the Supper.
Something real is occurring. It’s not merely symbolic.
Scripture says:
“Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a participation in the blood of Christ?”
(1 Corinthians 10:16)
In the Supper, we participate in a unique way with Christ. He meets with us and imparts grace.
So ask Him today:
- For grace in your specific trial.
- For help if you doubt that you’re holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.
- For love toward others who are also declared holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.
Looking Ahead to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb
And as we think about the Lord’s Supper, let our minds be lifted to the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Like a wedding ceremony, we will one day be presented.
At the end of a wedding, the couple is pronounced—joined together as one.
Nothing physically changes about their memories or pasts. Yet something profound has changed. They went in two—they come out one.
If that’s true for human marriages, how much more for Christ and His bride, the Church?
He will not fail to present her as holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.
Take Hope in Your Identity in Christ
So take hope:
- If you are in Christ, you are holy, blameless, and beyond reproach.
- Come to the table knowing that He has said this about you.
- Come knowing that He meets with you here.
- Come and participate fully in Him.
Conclusion: Waiting in Hope Like Noah
In Colossians 1:21–23, we’ve seen a detailed unfolding of:
- Christ’s work in reconciling us.
- Christ’s future presentation of us.
- And our present call to live by faith in that reality.
Like Noah, we wait for the full revelation of these things.
Noah waited a long time.
He was mocked, ridiculed, perhaps full of doubts—he had never seen rain, let alone a flood. And yet, he was saved in Christ.
By faith, he built the ark. By faith, he was preserved through the waters.
We Wait with Expectation
So too, we wait.
But we wait in hope, knowing that:
- When Christ appears, we will be like Him.
- All things will be made right.
- And every one of His people will be shown to be holy, blameless, and beyond reproach—because of what He has done.
Closing Prayer
Let’s pray together.
Father, we ask that you would help us in this present evil age to live lives that give glory to you. Keep us from evil. Cause us to persevere until the end.
And as we come to the table in a few moments, we greatly desire to receive grace from you—for we are a weak people and have many needs.
Provide for each one who partakes by faith all that you have promised in the gospel.
And let them taste and see that you are good.
In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Leave a Reply