Thursday, July 25, 2013

In Christ - I am reconciled to God


I am reconciled to God...

II Corinthians 5:18 All this is from God, Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation...


“Imagine two friends who have a fight or argument. The good relationship they once enjoyed is strained to the point of breaking. They cease speaking to each other; communication is deemed too awkward. The friends gradually become strangers. Such estrangement can only be reversed by reconciliation. To be reconciled is to be restored to friendship or harmony. When old friends resolve their differences and restore their relationship, reconciliation has occurred. Second Corinthians 5:18-19 declares, ‘All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.’

“The Bible says that Christ reconciled us to God (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Colossians 1:20-21). The fact that we needed reconciliation means that our relationship with God was broken. Since God is holy, we were the ones to blame. Our sin alienated us from Him. Romans 5:10 says that we were enemies of God: ‘For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!’

“When Christ died on the cross, He satisfied God’s judgment and made it possible for God’s enemies, us, to find peace with Him. Our ‘reconciliation’ to God, then, involves the exercise of His grace and the forgiveness of our sin. The result of Jesus’ sacrifice is that our relationship has changed from enmity to friendship. ‘I no longer call you servants … Instead, I have called you friends’ (John 15:15). Christian reconciliation is a glorious truth! We were God’s enemies, but are now His friends. We were in a state of condemnation because of our sins, but we are now forgiven. We were at war with God, but now have the peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7)!”

Isn’t it awesome to know that we are no longer enemies of God?  What a RELIEF!  We are God’s friend – fully restored to Him because of Jesus.  That breach in fellowship that occurred in the Garden of Eden has been repaired – and just as Adam and Eve could walk with God with no worries or concerns – so can we walk with Him in peace, not fearing His anger or judgment!  You ARE reconciled to God – and you’ve been given the ministry of reconciliation.  Go and tell others what God has done for them – live your life in a such a way that they see the truth of reconciliation in your life!  Sharon

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