Reconcile means to bring back into favor, restore one who is at odds, and bring into favor. In one sentence you have the substance of the entire plan of salvation: "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
The key point to remember in reconciliation: it is something entirely done by God. Such thinking is contrary to our reasoning. We think in terms of effort on our part but the scripture says something far different. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. We are the ones who have done the sinning, so how can the sinner reconcile himself? Of course, the answer is obvious – the man can't reconcile himself to God.
Now keep in mind why you must be reconciled to God; because we have sinned and sinned against God. Our sin has separated us from Him. (You have sinned – I have sinned – All have sinned) Sin cannot be excused, looked over, forgot about; it has to be paid for. And the payment for sin is death: Romans 6:23a. For the wages of sin is death; …..: because of our sin we are under the condemnation of death "….but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
How is God to reconcile us from this condemnation of death? For Him to be just and the justifier of him who believes there had to be an acceptable sacrifice for sin (Romans 3:26) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Therefore God charged our sin to Himself through Christ., "…. God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;…" If you buy something on credit the price is put on your account but in God's so great salvation your sin was put on Christ, 2 Cor.5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Christ was made sin by taking our sin.
God was in Christ reconciling us to Himself through Christ. There is the beauty of this so great salvation, Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. So the sacrifice provided for our sin is the God-Man, Christ and therefore He is an acceptable sacrifice for us. Reconciled is God bringing you near to Him through Christ. This is a completed work, already done!
And as God was in Christ, that makes Him, our sacrifice: a satisfactory Sacrifice, a sufficient Sacrifice, and a sure Sacrifice. In the words of Abraham to Isaac "Gen 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
Therefore, what must you do to know you are reconciled? Answer: You must believe you are reconciled! His Word clearly states you have been reconciled, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. And since it is true why not believe it?
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