From Alienated Enemies to Holy Children and Friends of God

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 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." Colossians 1:21-22

- Because of sin/evil behavior, we were enemies of God; we were alienated from God. We were hostile to His standards/holiness.
- Christ, Who is fully God and fully man, died physically in our place to pay for the penalty of our sin. His death on the cross redeemed us and reconciled us to God.
- Justification through faith in Christ alone. Through Christ's shed blood for us, we've been justified and received the complete forgiveness of sin (past, present, and future) from God. In addition, Christ's righteousness has been imputed upon us, His children. All God sees when He looks at us is Christ's righteousness. Because of Christ, we have been declared holy, without blemish, not guilty, and free from accusation and condemnation. "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." (Romans 3:22) "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)