Colossians 1:22

But now the great change has been effected. Those who were at war with God now are at peace with Him. Those who were distantly separated from Him now are brought close. Because Christ reconciled man to God through His death.

This reconciliation came about by the sacrifice upon the Cross. It is made possible for anyone through the death of the physical body (i.e. his body of flesh – a possible Hebraism).[1]

Just as in the previous verse we saw the three-fold alienation from God, religiously, psychologically, and morally; we now find Paul ascribing the reconciliation in three-fold concepts (again, religious, psychological, and moral). To present you, may be an indication of sacrifice (consider Rom. 12:1 – 2). Originally ritual expressions would carry the phrases “holy” and “without blemish.”[2] Thus, reconciliation by the sacrifice of Christ makes one acceptable before God.

As they were once of a hateful mind (see previous verse), now they were reconciled as being holy (hagious) or separated unto God. They no longer are at war in their minds with God, they are now changed into what in other places is translated saint. And, finally, Paul says that they are blameless and beyond reproach – in other words, they are changed morally.

The presentation that is discussed in this passage is often referred to as the parousia of Christ.[3] The pronouncement made here of the believer’s favor and justification anticipates the pronouncement delivered on Judgment Day. It will be a glorious day when believers stand before the Ling holy, blameless, and released from every charge brought against them – by the redemption of the Lamb.

Prayer: Father, I am so thankful that I am now a redeemed follower of Your Son. I am reconciled as holy to You. I am thankful that through the shed blood of Your Son I can stand before you without blemish and without any charges. He has provided all that I need. Amen.

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[1] Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Eerdman's Publishing Co, 1984. Pages 78. 

[2] Allen, Clifton J., ed. The Broadman Bible Commentary. Vol. 11. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971. Page 230. 

[3] If you were to do a search of the Greek New Testament, you would find that primarily this word refers to the Coming of the Lord Jesus. It can refer to either His second coming at the END of the 7-year tribulation period (Matt. 24:27, 37, 39; Rev. 19:11 ff), or to His coming to rapture His Church PRIOR to the 7-year period known as the tribulation (1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 2:19; 5:23; James 5:8; 1 John 2:28). 

So, the Parousia is the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you have to look at the context to determine whether it refers to His appearing in the air to rapture or catch away the Church (1 Thess. 4:13-18), or whether it refers to His second coming to Earth to set up His millennial kingdom (Matt. 24-25; Rev. 19:11ff; 20:4-6).