“In [Jesus] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
- Colossians 1:19-20

When the apostle Paul explains to the church at Colossae (modern day Turkey) A.D. 62, that all the fullness of God dwells in Jesus Christ, he is saying that Christ is the tabernacle and temple of God that the Old Testament was pointing towards all along. Today, there is no need to go to a physical building to encounter God's presence. Jesus is where God's full presence can be found. Furthermore, Paul explains that Jesus reconciles everyone and everything to himself through the cross. This reconciliation means that enemies of God become friends of God through repentance from sin and faith in Christ. This reconciliation also means what the hymn writer Isaac Watts wrote, "No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found." Far as the curse is found, the consequences of Adam's act of disobedience have been fully and finally overturned through the cross of Jesus Christ.

So what does all this mean for you? You don't have to go to any physical building or location to meet with God. All you have to do is turn from your sins in repentance to Jesus Christ by faith. You don't have to live under the weight of your sin and guilt any longer. You don't have to try to be a good person or clean yourself up or try to outweigh your bad deeds with good deeds - all with the hope of trying to reconcile your relationship with God. None of that is possible nor is it necessary. Jesus Christ can fully and finally reconcile you to himself through faith in his cross. He is the only reconciling Redeemer you will ever need. Jesus is enough for you today and forever!

For Jesus,
Pastor Mark