How does Colossians 1:21 describe our past relationship with God before salvation? The Text in Focus “Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds.” (Colossians 1:21) Key Words and Phrases • Alienated: cut off, estranged, without fellowship • Hostile in your minds: an inward attitude of enmity toward God • Because of your evil deeds: a lifestyle that proved the inward hostility What Alienation Looked Like • No covenant connection (Ephesians 2:12) • Spiritual outsiders, “far off” (Ephesians 2:13) • Separated by sin’s barrier (Isaiah 59:2) Hostility in the Mind • The natural mind “is hostile toward God” (Romans 8:7) • Enemies “in our minds” even before outward acts appeared (Titus 1:15–16) • Rebellion seated in thoughts, values, desires Driven by Evil Deeds • Sinful actions verified the inner hostility (Matthew 15:19) • “Dead in trespasses” (Ephesians 2:1) • Living according to fleshly cravings (1 Peter 4:3) Scripture Echoes • Romans 5:10 – “while we were enemies” • Ephesians 4:18 – “darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God” • Colossians 1:13 – rescue required: “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness” Why This Matters Today • Reminds believers of the depth of grace—salvation moved us from hostility to peace (Romans 5:1) • Fuels humility; none of us began as neutral seekers • Inspires gratitude; Christ reconciled real enemies, not reluctant friends • Motivates outreach; the same gospel that ended our alienation is powerful to reconcile others |
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