Hi Everyone,
The Bible states in Colossians 1:21-22 that we were once "alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death...."
I want to share three things that will shock you:
1. Hostile in Mind: this is referring, I believe, primarily to the disposition of our minds as was the result of the Fall: our mode of thinking and feeling, our feelings and affections, its purposes, imaginations, reasonings, and insights. I understand that the fallen mind is carnal, but can we see here that there is the possibility that the fear produced in man because of sin separation caused man to be incapable of receiving God's reconciliation, save for the work of Holy Spirit through the renewing of the mind?
2. He has now reconciled: the word used in the Greek here (apokatallasso) for reconciled is a very strong word that means God sought after us and restored peace that was previously disturbed. It means to reconcile FULLY (the word reconcile itself means to return to friendship). Full reconciliation—wow! WOW!!!!
3. Why would God do this? Why would He fully restore people who are hostile in thought toward Him (in the case of unbelievers) or believe in their minds that there exists enmity between them and God (in the case of some believers)?
Here is a possible answer: It is because of God's lovingkindness. Look up the word lovingkindness or mercy in the Old Testament, and chances are, it will be this Hebrew word: Chesed. Now, sit down, because here's the definition of chesed:
"Chesed is one of the most important words in the OT, and is often translated in the KJV as "lovingkindness" or "mercy". Chesed is a somewhat complicated concept, however, and not easily defined in a single word. The basic idea is that of an act of kindness, love or mercy shown to someone. The quality of the kindness shown is usually that reserved for close friends and family members, but the act of chesed can be shown to anyone. Thus, while chesed describes kindnesses shown to friends and relatives, it can also pass between guest and host, master and servant, or even ruler and subject.
An act of chesed presupposes the existence of a relationship between the parties involved. Where no formal relationship has previously been recognized, the person exercising chesed has chosen to treat the recipient as if such a relationship did exist. David showed chesed to Mephibosheth on behalf of his friend Jonathan (2 Sam 9:7), which could have been expected. Rahab, however, exercised chesed on behalf of the Israelite spies, men whom she did not know and with whom she had nothing in common (Josh 2:12).
It is interesting to note that acts of chesed are often reciprocated, and that it is not unusual for the benefactor to request a return of chesed from the recipient. Abimelech asked that Abraham return his chesed by not dealing falsely with him (Gen 21:23); the Israelite spies agreed with Rahab to save her family from destruction because of the chesed she showed to them (Josh 2:12-14); and David promised to requite the chesed shown by the men of Jabesh-gilead when he heard they had buried Saul's body (2 Sam 2:4-6).
Chesed is central to God's character. It is closely tied to His covenant with His chosen people; in fact the covenant may be thought of as the relationship from which the chesed flows. However, God's chesed is not bound by the covenant itself, and though men may prove unfaithful to this relationship, God's chesed is everlasting." Zodhiates' Complete Word Study Bible
Aside from what I've highlighted in bold font, I find that it interesting that none of the examples of a request for a return of chesed were of God requesting that from man. I believe that's because He freely gives!!! It's central to His character...it is everlasting!
Be blessed!
"'But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things', declares the LORD."
Grace=Peace,
Jeremy
I want to share three things that will shock you:
1. Hostile in Mind: this is referring, I believe, primarily to the disposition of our minds as was the result of the Fall: our mode of thinking and feeling, our feelings and affections, its purposes, imaginations, reasonings, and insights. I understand that the fallen mind is carnal, but can we see here that there is the possibility that the fear produced in man because of sin separation caused man to be incapable of receiving God's reconciliation, save for the work of Holy Spirit through the renewing of the mind?
2. He has now reconciled: the word used in the Greek here (apokatallasso) for reconciled is a very strong word that means God sought after us and restored peace that was previously disturbed. It means to reconcile FULLY (the word reconcile itself means to return to friendship). Full reconciliation—wow! WOW!!!!
3. Why would God do this? Why would He fully restore people who are hostile in thought toward Him (in the case of unbelievers) or believe in their minds that there exists enmity between them and God (in the case of some believers)?
Here is a possible answer: It is because of God's lovingkindness. Look up the word lovingkindness or mercy in the Old Testament, and chances are, it will be this Hebrew word: Chesed. Now, sit down, because here's the definition of chesed:
"Chesed is one of the most important words in the OT, and is often translated in the KJV as "lovingkindness" or "mercy". Chesed is a somewhat complicated concept, however, and not easily defined in a single word. The basic idea is that of an act of kindness, love or mercy shown to someone. The quality of the kindness shown is usually that reserved for close friends and family members, but the act of chesed can be shown to anyone. Thus, while chesed describes kindnesses shown to friends and relatives, it can also pass between guest and host, master and servant, or even ruler and subject.
An act of chesed presupposes the existence of a relationship between the parties involved. Where no formal relationship has previously been recognized, the person exercising chesed has chosen to treat the recipient as if such a relationship did exist. David showed chesed to Mephibosheth on behalf of his friend Jonathan (2 Sam 9:7), which could have been expected. Rahab, however, exercised chesed on behalf of the Israelite spies, men whom she did not know and with whom she had nothing in common (Josh 2:12).
It is interesting to note that acts of chesed are often reciprocated, and that it is not unusual for the benefactor to request a return of chesed from the recipient. Abimelech asked that Abraham return his chesed by not dealing falsely with him (Gen 21:23); the Israelite spies agreed with Rahab to save her family from destruction because of the chesed she showed to them (Josh 2:12-14); and David promised to requite the chesed shown by the men of Jabesh-gilead when he heard they had buried Saul's body (2 Sam 2:4-6).
Chesed is central to God's character. It is closely tied to His covenant with His chosen people; in fact the covenant may be thought of as the relationship from which the chesed flows. However, God's chesed is not bound by the covenant itself, and though men may prove unfaithful to this relationship, God's chesed is everlasting." Zodhiates' Complete Word Study Bible
Aside from what I've highlighted in bold font, I find that it interesting that none of the examples of a request for a return of chesed were of God requesting that from man. I believe that's because He freely gives!!! It's central to His character...it is everlasting!
Be blessed!
"'But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things', declares the LORD."
Grace=Peace,
Jeremy
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