“I now pronounce you husband and wife!” In the right context and spoken by the right person, these are beautiful and powerful words. Philosopher J. L. Austin calls this type of statement a “speech-act.” That is, in the speaking of certain words, an action is taking place. With this statement, the bride and groom, who were two separate people before, now have become one—a married couple. In today’s passage, Paul reflects on the major change of status that the Colossian believers have undergone. They used to be in a precarious position before God. They were alienated from Him and lived as His enemies. This status was reinforced by their wrong thinking and evil behavior (v. 21). Yet, all has changed because of what Christ has done. Paul declares that we are no longer enemies of God because “he has reconciled you” (v. 22). On our own, we would stand before God condemned. But Christ died to present us to God “holy,” “without blemish,” and, most importantly, “free from accusation” (v. 22)! Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection made our salvation and justification possible, but there is still an important part for us to play. Paul’s argument leads up to the if in verse 23: “if you continue in your faith.” Paul strongly encourages believers to root themselves in the faith and hope of the gospel in order to persevere to the end. Commentator Doug Moo puts it this way: “God does, indeed, by His grace and through His Spirit, work to preserve His people so that they will be vindicated in the judgment; but, at the same time, God’s people are responsible to persevere in their faith if they expect to see that vindication.”