If you’re looking for some new spiritual teaching or fad to boost your faith in God, you are looking for the wrong thing. The Bible is complete, and everything we need to know about God and to live a godly life has been given to us, 2 Peter 1:3.

We simply need to obey what we know.

The church in Colossae was going strong for ten years, and then a blend of religious teaching from outside the church attempted to convolute the gospel. Paul’s theme in his letter to the Colossian church is the centrality of Jesus.

To be a Christian can be best defined as being a follower of Jesus. Our lives mimic whom or what we are following. It’s crucial to our spiritual life that we keep Jesus at the center of all things.

Christianity is peculiar in that no one has ever seen God. In fact, in the Old Testament, the people were forbidden to carve an image of God.

No human expression can adequately capture the persona of God. Our image of God would be fashioned after our desire, not an accurate representation of who He is. But, all that changed with Jesus!

In Jesus, we see the totality of God. His love for mankind and justice. His willingness to embrace the outcast and compassion towards the sick. His desire for relationship with humanity.

In Colossians 1:21-22, we read that before we decide to follow Jesus, we were hostile in mind towards Him and alienated from Him. Sin drives us away from God. But in God’s love and mercy, He provided a way out through the cross. The cross reconciles us to God.

The word translated reconcile in Colossians 1, is in the most definite sense of the word. In this context, it indicates that God initiated reconciliation with creation even before we deserved it or sought after it.

Romans 5:8 says it this way, “⁸ but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Paul taught a lot about reconciliation because it’s at the core of the Christian faith. He said the following in 2 Corinthians 5:18,

“¹⁸ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;”

Reconciliation is a two-facet concept.

First, we are to assist in reconciling people to God.

You and I are to share with others how having a relationship replaces the emptiness in life and gives us an unlimited supply of peace and joy.  

 There is no peace without reconciliation.

 Secondly, we are to be reconciled with others.

 The Bible emphasizes this point.

²³ So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24

 “but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:15

 “¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18

As people who have been reconciled with God, we have no room to not forgive others and be reconciled.

Is there a relationship that needs to be restored in your life? Are you waiting for that person to ask you for forgiveness? Don’t wait, initiate reconciliation! Your peace and joy are not contingent on their response but on your pursuit of reconciliation.

It’s not about who’s more wrong, it’s about being in right relationship.

This may be one of the most uncomfortable conversations you’ll have, but it will open a floodgate of relief as this burden is lifted from you.