True Peace on Earth

[Photo by littledan77.]

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
For by him all things were created:
things in heaven and on earth …
all things were created by him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together …
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things,
whether things on earth or things in heaven,
by making peace through his blood,
shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God …
But now he has reconciled you
by Christ’s physical body through death
to present you holy in his sight,
without blemish and free from accusation …
This is the gospel that you heard
and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven.

— Colossians 1:13-23