(My grandfather's tombstone)
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 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— 23 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
So...
- SEPARATION - Once you were alienated from God.
- RECONCILIATION - Now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death. (The atoning death of Christ.)
- ACCEPTANCE: To present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
- GOSPEL: This is the gospel, the good news, that you heard and has been proclaimed.
William Lane Craig writes: "The predominant motif used in the NT to characterize the atonement is the presentation of Christ’s death as a sacrificial offering to God on our behalf."
(Craig, The Atonement, p. 7)
