GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF

Introduction

The English word reconcile is from a Greek word that means “to reconcile (those who are at variance); return to favour with, be reconciled to one,” according to Strong[1]. Webster defines the English word reconcile as “to restore to friendship or harmony.[2]” Why do we need to be returned to favor with God? That is the question we will ponder in this article.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19:

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them.

Man needs to be reconciled to God because of trespasses. That word’s Greek equivalent is defined by Strong[3], “a side slip (lapse or deviation), that is, (unintentional) error or (willful) transgressions.”  The word is translated, sins, in Ephesians 1:7; 2:5; and Colossians 2:13. Indeed, it is sin that results in our need to be reconciled to God. Isaiah writes in Isaiah 59:1-2:

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. ² But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

The Apostle Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). So the need for reconciliation falls upon all of us. Sin is a serious matter. Paul writes in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The apostle is talking about spiritual death, which is separation from God. Paul reveals the remedy for the consequences of sin, “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom.6:23).

Notice again what Paul said in our original passage. He said:

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them.

Notice the last clause, “not counting their trespasses against them.” That requires that our sins be forgiven. How does that happen?

We are not forgiven because we somehow deserve, or earn salvation, for we cannot possibly do that. It is because of  God’s grace. Paul writes in Romans 3:23-24, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” He says we are “justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” The Greek word translated, grace, means “good will, loving-kindness, favour,” according to Thayer[4]. Paul says we are justified (“to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent” – Strong[5]) by His (God’s) grace through the redemption (‘a releasing effected by payment of ransom” - Thayer[6]) which is in Christ Jesus.

So, because of His grace, God justified and redeemed us by His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). What was the “ransom payment” (redemption) made by Jesus? Peter answers:

…knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Jesus shed His blood on the cross (and even before, as he wore a crown of thorns and was brutally scourged before He was nailed to the cross) to redeem us from the power of sin. We were reconciled to God by the precious blood of Christ, whom God gave to die for us.

Conclusion

By Jesus’ death, the “wages of sin,” “death,” is taken away and we are reconciled to God.

Have you been reconciled to God? Have your sins been taken away? Why not let us help you learn from God’s Word, the Bible, what you need to do to be reconciled to God?  Please contact the Strasburg Church of Christ at strasburgcoc@yahoo.com, or call us at 540-331-8833.