ALIENATED

 

Sunday, January 22, 2023

 

ALIENATED

 

Col 1:21-22

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

 

          The word “alienated” can be found seven times in the Bible, five times in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament. It is a forlorn word, pitiful, and sad. It identifies the need for human connection in this ever more alienated world.

 

          Alienation occurs in the mind and is manifested by works. Eve and Adam first began to question God, basically thinking Him to be a liar, then they acted on that primary alienation making themselves God’s enemy. They withdrew from God and ceased to walk with Him. They had incurred death through disobedience, and it would require death to bring reconciliation.

 

          Church is a gathering of broken and then reconciled people. To be alienated from this gathering is to abide alone without the soothing of an understanding fellow-traveler. Feelings of loss, insufficiency, and anger fill the voids vacated by alienation. Be kind to yourself. Reconnect with that fellowship of once-alienated people.

 

          What a wonderful day it will be when we finally arrive at that place prepared by the Savior. We will then be “holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.”

 

I will arise and go to Jesus

He will embrace me in His arms

In the arms of my dear Savior

Oh, there are ten thousand charms

 

Thank you, Lord, that am no longer alone or lonely. AMEN