In the sight of God and men

Two passages of scripture that might seem to contradict one another are Colossians 1:21-23 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  Let us look at these passages.

Colossians 1:21-23 "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and UNREPROVABLE (above reproach) in His sight---if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for REPROOF, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Colossians says that we are holy, unblameable and unreprovable IN HIS SIGHT.  So before God, we are unreprovable.  Jesus paid for the sins of our entire lifetime.  It is interesting to note that Colossians says that we are unreprovable in His sight if we continue in the faith, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel.  We must continue to trust that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins.  Moving away from the hope of the gospel means to move back under the Law, or to approach God by our own performance instead of His grace.  If we move back under the Law, we will feel condemned.  That is the purpose of the Law, to show us that we have a sin problem and need a Savior.   

2 Timothy says that the Word is profitable for our reproof or correction.  Our good works are done before men.  Even though we are declared holy and righteous before God, we must learn to walk in love and good deeds before men.  This is where our lives are open for reproof and correction. 

Keith Oliver