What a wonderful, hopeful word this is. To reconcile: the prayer of parents of a rebellious teen or adult child; the hope for adult siblings who drifted or argued their way far apart; the joy when it happens in a broken marriage; the peace that comes to a country where civil war has raged. Reconciliation.
The word occurs several times in Romans 5. We learn the stark truth there and elsewhere that by nature and choice we are enemies of God. Some of our rebellion is active, some passive. Whether we know it or not, without Christ, we are not and cannot be friends of God.
But the Good News is that "we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled shall we be saved through his live." Paul affirms that we rejoice in God because of this wonderful reconciliation. Romans 5:9 - 11.
As we continue through the NT we learn that God has now given us the ministry of reconciliation. We are all to follow in Paul's footsteps as Christ's ambassadors. Like Paul we should "implore (others) on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." II Corinthians 5:20
How sad that no one seem able to bring reconciliation in Syria right now; or between Israel and Iran; or between countless marriages that are heading for divorce.
May we be ambassadors, at whatever level, of peace and reconciliation, since we have been reconciled to our God of Peace.
The word occurs several times in Romans 5. We learn the stark truth there and elsewhere that by nature and choice we are enemies of God. Some of our rebellion is active, some passive. Whether we know it or not, without Christ, we are not and cannot be friends of God.
But the Good News is that "we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled shall we be saved through his live." Paul affirms that we rejoice in God because of this wonderful reconciliation. Romans 5:9 - 11.
As we continue through the NT we learn that God has now given us the ministry of reconciliation. We are all to follow in Paul's footsteps as Christ's ambassadors. Like Paul we should "implore (others) on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." II Corinthians 5:20
How sad that no one seem able to bring reconciliation in Syria right now; or between Israel and Iran; or between countless marriages that are heading for divorce.
May we be ambassadors, at whatever level, of peace and reconciliation, since we have been reconciled to our God of Peace.
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