Consider our Past Condition apart from Christ
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, Colossians 1:21 (ESV)
Alienated:
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:12–13 (ESV)
Hostile in mind:
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21 (ESV)
Evil deeds: Romans 1:29–32
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5 (ESV)
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— Romans 5:12 (ESV)
Consider our Present Reconciliation in Christ
22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death . . . , Colossians 1:22 (ESV)
22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him— Colossians 1:22 (CSB)
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— Ephesians 2:4–5 (ESV)
Consider our Future Presentation before Christ
22 . . . in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, Colossians 1:22 (ESV)
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18–19 (ESV)
Consider our Call to Persevere in Christ
23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Colossians 1:23 (ESV)
13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13 (ESV)
14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
Hebrews 3:14 (ESV)
7 . . . our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 1:7–8 (ESV)
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, Jude 24 (ESV)