'Holy and blameless and beyond reproach'

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 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 – if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard . . . (Col. 1:21-23a, emphasis added).

“Holy and blameless and beyond reproach!” Stunningly, that is how we will appear before the throne of the Holy Judge. We were separated from God. We were not only apart from Him, we were actively opposed to Him as enemies in our minds, Paul writes. And we participated in evil works in rebellion against Him and His holy commands. Yet – what a great, brief word – God the Son changed all of that. He brought peace between God and us through His humiliating, atoning death. He did so, Paul says here, that He might present each true believer – and every true believer will remain in the faith – to the Father “holy and blameless and beyond reproach.”

“Holy and blameless and beyond reproach!” Believe it. Marvel at it. Rest in it. Rejoice in and exalt the One who makes it so.