ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
August 7, 2021
Scripture: Colossians 1:19-23a
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him—provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven.
Thought for the Day: If you’ve followed me for a while now, you have probably heard me say multiple times, “The ancient word we translate as ‘all’ means exactly what we think it means. ALL!” So when Paul writes how God was pleased to reconcile all things to God, Paul meant ALL THINGS! Among them, every single human being. I know that causes a lot of discomfort for some people, and in preparation for writing this Etching, I read two separate attempts to explain away Paul’s ALL. I do not believe they were successful, except to point out the uneasiness felt by so many. As a good friend, now deceased, used to say: “If God was going to do all that work in becoming Jesus, I don’t believe God would be happy with only 45% or even 50%. God’s plan was everyone and everything, and God’s plans always succeed.”
Prayer: I am really thankful for your ALL, Lord God. It brings me peace and joy, but also a mission as there are too many people who have been told how they are the exception to the ALL. Encourage me to bring the message of Jesus, and how you have already reconciled all of creation to yourself. Amen.
