There are three verses in Colossians 1 that contain three of the most amazing truths found in Scripture. Verse 21-22a speaks of our separation and reconciliation, verse 22b gives us the result of that reconciliation and verse 23 provides a warning.
“But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.” [Colossians 1:21-23 NLT]
We were separated from God because of our rebellion and inability to live according to God’s holy standards. Christ brought us reconciliation through His cross. Now as we stand before God, our Father only sees us covered in the blood of Christ and sees us as holy, blameless and without even a single fault.
But there is a warning that accompanies that Good News. We must stand firmly in the truth of God’s reconciliation … we cannot allow ourselves to “drift away” from the Good News.
The Greek word for “drift away” expresses the idea of being shifted, displaced, or removed from a fixed position. In Scripture it is used figuratively of a believer’s spiritual or moral footing being dislodged.
There are all kinds of forces in this life that seek to dislodge our spiritual and moral footing. We need to stay grounded in Christ Jesus, steady in our reconciliation through the power of the Holy Spirit in us so we do not “drift away” from the truth.