Transformation in Christ, beyond magical (Colossians 1:21-23)

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 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— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Colossians 1:21-23 ESV

“Once you were alienated from God…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”.  This is such a Cinderella transformation story!  When Cinderella was being oppressed by her stepmother and stepsisters, the fairy godmother came. She magically turned a pumpkin into a chariot, and mice into horses. And Cinderella, a lowly servant girl wearing a ripped old dress was transformed to a princess with a beautiful ball gown and a pair of sparkly crystal slippers. With all of the transformation, she could be well presented at the party and meet her Prince Charming.  We were once alienated from God. We were outsiders and enemies of God.  But the light of Jesus Christ has shone in our life!  He came and transformed us from sinners to righteous,  from enemies to friends.  He put on us something more magical than the Cinderella ball gown.  When our sins were like scarlet, He washed us white as snow and clothed on us the “garments of salvation, and the robe of His righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10) to present us “holy in God’s sight, without blemish and free from accusation!”  That’s the gospel of Jesus Christ! Where hope is from, and where our hope is anchored. 

Paul reminded the church about this amazing transformation, and that was also his first hand experience. Paul’s life was once driven by his strong belief in the laws he used to learn and things that he thought were right. He clung to those and held them against the early Christians.  He persecuted them and Christ until he received the gospel, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul called himself the worst of sinners, and he was saved through Christ.   He used to be a servant of what he believed, and now he became a servant of WHOM he believed – Jesus Christ.  Paul’s life was transformed by the gospel, and so is ours! We are saved by grace and through faith.  God did not provide another way nor did He add other requirements.  May our faith be strong, firm, and rooted in the glorious hope we received from the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

While Cinderella’s transformation only lasted until midnight, our transformation and hope from Jesus and His gospel is lifelong and will last through eternity.  Our story with Jesus is far better than any fairy tales and way beyond magical! 

P.S.  I have no worries about losing my crystal sandals, because my Prince knows me.🥰  

Dear Jesus, praise you for your amazing salvation! Keep my faith strong in you and anchor my faith and hope in the gospel that is from you.

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