Useful Bible Studies > Colossians Commentary > chapter 1

Christ became a man so that we can become his holy people

Colossians 1:22

Christ is God (verses 15 to 17), but he became a man. So, he understands, in his own experience, our human weakness. He knows what it means to be tired, cold and hungry. He has suffered as we suffer. The devil tempted him even as he (the devil) temps us to do wrong things – but Christ never did anything wrong (Hebrews 4:15).

This was necessary in God’s great plan to bring people into a right relationship with himself. Christ had to become like us in every way (Hebrews 2:10-15) before he could take upon himself the punishment for our evil deeds (Romans 5:6-9). So Christ lived among us in this world (John 1:10-11) before he died for us. He accepted a relationship with us, as a man, so that we can receive a relationship with him, as God’s children (John 1:12-13).

The result of Christ’s actions is very wonderful. As he accepted our death, so we can receive his life (Romans 5:17; Romans 6:4). Because of Christ’s death, God can forgive our evil deeds (1 John 1:7); it is as if he is simply washing dirt away from our lives (Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18). We are unholy people, who have done so many wrong and evil things (Romans 3:9-18: Colossians 1:21) – God is eager to make us into his holy people (1 Peter 2:9), people who please him in everything (Ephesians 5:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:9).

That may seem impossible to us – but God is working in the lives of his people (Romans 8:28-30). He is able to complete the work that he has begun in their lives (Philippians 1:6). That work will be complete at the time of Christ’s return (Philippians 1:10-11). Revelation 19:7-9 describes God’s people as the bride of Christ, who on the day of his return will be ready and perfect for him in every way.

Next part: Every Christian must continue in the life of faith (Colossians 1:23)

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© 2019, Keith Simons.