Alienation, Reconciliation, and Perseverence in Colossians 1:21-23, Part 1

I have decided to present some of the material from an exegesis paper that I wrote last semester. I have elected to introduce this topic with a great and memorable hymn, "Arise, My Soul, Arise." Arise, my soul, arise, shake off your guilty fears; The bleeding sacrifice, in my behalf appears; Before the throne my Surety stands, Before the throne my Surety stands, My name is written on His hands. He ever lives above, for me to intercede; His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead; His blood atoned for every race, His blood atoned for every race, And sprinkles now the throne of grace. Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary; They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me: "Forgive him, O forgive," they cry, "Forgive him, O forgive," they cry, "Nor let that ransomed sinner die!" The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One; He cannot turn away the presence of His Son; The Spirit answers to the blood, The Spirit answers to the blood And tells me I am born of God. My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear; He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear With confidence I now draw nigh, With confidence I now draw nigh, And "Father, Abba, Father," cry. --Charles Wesley This hymn adequately introduces the three major topics that I would like to discuss from Col 1. Some of you may be aware of the somewhat controversial issue that surrounds the final stanza: some hymn books read, "I now am reconciled;" Who is reconciled in reconciliation? God? Man? This is one of many issues that I would like to explore and hopefully resolve. With introductions being made, I will leave this hymn as food for thought. It has become one of my favorites, and I have enjoyed reflecting on the truth that it states. As I have stated before, I love songs that make much of Christ: this hymn definitely does, so as we move into a study of Col 1:21-23, let us remember to make much of Christ.