Without A Single Fault
“Now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.” – Colossians 1:22 (NLT)
“Me? I’m standing before God without a single fault?” I’m thinking to myself. “Who’s Paul kidding?” But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I’ve been studying the book of Colossians for a few weeks now. I try to read the book in one sitting a couple of times a week from different translations, and I’ve enjoyed getting familiar with its theme of Christ’s superiority. However, it seems that no matter how many times I’ve read a passage of Scripture, there comes a time when something will appear fresh, new and unexpected. Sometimes those unexpected encounters are a joy, like when you see a good friend after a long absence. Other times, the unexpected takes a more painful turn, like when I read this passage in Colossians.
On about my tenth reading of Colossians, I didn’t even get through chapter one when I had trouble getting wrapping my mind around this idea: I stand before God without a single fault.
I thought to myself, “Not me, baby.” I have so many faults I sometimes wonder why my wife doesn’t change the locks on the door while I’m at work. Besides, if I have no faults, then why am I a forty-seven year old ordained minister with a Master’s degree working in a lumberyard selling plumbing and electrical parts? Why isn’t there a church somewhere that wants my God-given talents and abilities? Why am I still opening my mouth and saying inappropriate things? Why do I still struggle with selfishness, pride, impatience, joy, love and self-control? How on earth or in heaven can Paul tell me I stand before God without a single fault?
After wrestling with this idea for a few days, I finally began to understand that we must all know the difference between our position in Christ and our experience with Christ.
Because God sees me “reconciled…through the death of Christ,” my position in Christ is without fault. By faith, Christ’s blood has cleansed me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). However, my experience in life is far from righteous. But this, too, is part of God’s way.
If you’ll recall, the experience of the Israelites in Egypt was one of imprisonment, slavery, and separation from God. Nevertheless, on the evening of the first Passover, even though God knew of their experience, their position under the blood allowed death to pass over. God said, “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13). God did not judge them on their experience of slavery and sin, but upon their position under the blood. And so it is with all who position themselves under the sin-cleansing blood of Christ.
It is still hard to wrap my brain around it. My experience in life is one of triumph and defeat, success and failures, living up to God’s standards and failing miserably. But since I do not stand before God based on my own merits, but upon the gift of God through Christ Jesus, I find myself breathing a little easier. God, in His infinite mercy, has decided to see me – and you if you choose – through rose-colored glasses tinted red by the blood of Christ, declaring that what He sees is good and without fault.
This passage continued to be a mystery to me until I read Colossians 1:27, that is, the mystery of Christ living in me. (Colossians 1:27). Perhaps if I just kept reading I wouldn’t have been so bothered! It goes like this: God approves of Christ; Christ lives in me; therefore, God approves of me.
And who am I to argue with God?
Thinking Out Loud 
It’s a theme that He’s been impressing on me this week as well. My memory verses for last week were: “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things and revive me in Your way. Establish Your Word to Your servant who is devoted to fearing You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your judgments are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.”
I’m so thankful that it’s all about Him, and not me. Dressed in a robe of righteousness, I can indeed sing, “faultless to stand before the throne… on Christ the solid Rock I stand!”
In a recent Bible Study group a firefighter added a striking simile perspective to Colossians 2. When Paul is describing the need to have our roots go deep into our faith, it evokes unshakeable steadfastness. This firefighter responds to car accidents all of the time. He said, “This passage reminds me of the counter-intuitive nature of things. When a car crashes into a steel light pole, it can sheer the very 2 inch bolts from the base and topple a 30 ft steel pole. But, if a ford truck slams into a tree, the tree doesn’t move – it withstands the force of impact and the vehicle is left destroyed. This is how my faith has been since growing in Christ. Before, any little question, doubt or attack could knock me off my path – but now, as my roots go deeper, nothing can shake me from Christ.”
Powerful.
…amen brother. You are in a lumberyard for some reasons I am sure–and there is nothing wrong with that—Paul wasn’t above it. And you are a gifted writer and bible teacher Jim.
Extra — Thanks for the encouragement. Even someone as (usually) optimistic as I am needs to hear they have a reason for being where they are. I find that even though I try to be content in whatever circumstance I find myself, I’m still pressing on for more. Its a delicate balance, and I’m learning it better as I grow older.
Bleeder — That is an excellent example of growing strong in Christ. I’m going to use it. It also reminds me of Hebrews 12:15, where the author warns about letting bitter roots cause trouble and defile the body. Our roots can grow deep in God or deep in bitterness. Either one can be a stronghold.
Heather — It is always good to see how the Holy Spirit is using similar themes in people’s lives. Thanks for the reminder.
“the difference between our position in Christ and our experience with Christ”…powerful Pastor, powerful! Thanks again for pastoring your youtube flock.
Wow… here I thought you were an atheist. You left a comment on my blog a bit ago and I am now just getting over here to see who left the comment. I surely thought the comment was left by a sarcastic non-believer. NEVER JUDGE 🙂 Anyway, I love your thought process and will continue to read your stuff… am adding you to my blog roll.