Reconciliation

We hear and read allot about reconciliation, what does that mean and how is it applied to our life, both spiritually and naturally in biblical terms ?

Lets examine what the word ' reconciliation ' means . The definition in the dictionary states this ; To make ( oneself or another ) no longer opposed. To become friendly with ( someone ) after estrangement or to re-establish friendly relations between ( two or more ) people . To settle a difference or quarrel . To make ( two apparently conflicting things ) compatible or consistent with each other. To bring together again. To reconsecrate .

The definition is pretty clear and simple it appears. So lets base that on biblical teaching and what the Bible says about it. First we have to understand to reconcile there had to be a confrontation, a separation and a disagreement and or an estrangement . That happened in the garden of Eden in the beginning way back in Genesis, when man disobeyed God and sin entered in. By a simple act of disobedience mankind was separated from the presence of God . ( Genesis 3 )

God is righteous and Holy. And His word tells us, we are to obey and reverence Him in all things. For He is our creator and God. Many people deny Him and refuse to acknowledge His authority in all things. However that does not stop the fact He is God and ultimately He is the one they will give an account to. Many claim, why are they punished for what Adam and Eve did in the garden of Eden. Sin entered this world and into the lives of man through the acts of Adam and Eve. Their offspring also has that nature of sin within them. We were created to Serve God. For His pleasure are we made ( Philippians 2:13 ) And when we disobey and sin and separate ourselves by that sin we become estranged to God and opposed to Him. And because He is Holy and righteous , we can not be in His presence with sin in our life . The Bible tells us this;” But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” ( Isaiah 59:2 ) And the only way to purge ones sin is by the Blood.

The Bible tells us,”Without shedding of Blood, there is no remission of sin” ( Hebrews 9:22) That is why Jesus was born into this world. He came to sacrifice Himself so that mankind could be “ Reconciled “ back to God . This was the set plan of God from the very beginning of Time. For the Bible tells us that Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. ( Rev.13:8 ) It also says it this way ,”For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world ; but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” ( Hebrews 9:26 ) In Leviticus 17:11 it says this , “For the life of the flesh is in the Blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Way back in Old Testament times when by the law they sacrificed animals and sprinkled blood to cover the sins of the people, it was the blood that covered them for a season. It was impossible as the Bible proclaims for the blood of animals to take away sin . “ For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin. ( Hebrews 10:4) But the Blood of Jesus Christ who was spotless and sinless bore our iniquities and sins for us on the cross, His Blood did indeed take away sin. “ Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body thou hast prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure .Then said I, Lo , I Come ( in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will O God. Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein;which are offered by the law; Then said He, Lo, I Come to do thy will ,O God, He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second. By the which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all. “ ( Hebrews 10: 5-10 )

So now you see why Jesus sacrificed Himself for mankind and why we are separate from God and How by and through Jesus Christ we can be “Reconciled” back to God . 2 Corinthians 5:18 states it this way , “ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” . So you see it is only By Jesus Christ can we get to God and once again be able to be in His presence. Do not let anyone tell you there are many ways. there is Only One way and that is through Jesus Christ alone. For as it is written , “ Jesus saith unto him,I Am the way, the truth and the life ; no man cometh to the Father but by me” ( John 14:6) .

We are given the ministry of reconciliation as the prior scripture tells us. What exactly does that mean ? Well, we are reconciled back to God from our separated state through the offering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. We are commanded to speak truth to our neighbor (Eph.4:25) And the only truth there is , is the Word of God. We witness and speak the Good News which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that Gospel message is the message of “reconciliation” . It is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that we are reconciled back to God and it is that reconciliation message we speak of and is truth and is no lie. Jesus commands us all to witness and preach and teach salvation through repentance , in other words , ' Reconciliation.' How can there be any reconciliation without repentance and making things right ? Simply stated, there can't be. It takes setting the record straight .

The Old Testament Law was given to show us we were sinners and in need of redemption and a sacrifice to cover our sins. We ourselves could not do it nor any man. We read also how the blood of bulls and goats was used for that purpose , but we also read it covered the sin, it did not take it away. The Blood of Jesus Christ who took our place willingly , and redeemed us through that sacrifice, and the shedding of His blood does take the sins away . John 1:29 tells us ; “John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God,which taketh away the sin of the world .” That was the entire purpose for the coming of Jesus. He was born of a virgin, He knew no sin, was not born in an act of sin, was not spotted by the worldly things ,and he was without blemish. He was the perfect sacrifice whom God accepted for the Atonement of mankind. He was sacrificed once and for all and is now setting making intercessions for us to God. He is reconciling us everyday . Sometimes it takes time to get through all the problems and hurt and pain and bitterness, and anger and frustration and the harm sin has done in our life.

Yes, the minute we repent and accept Christ into our life , we are saved. However in having to walk in this world, the past issues do not simply go away. We battle this flesh and the worldly desires daily. It is a 24/7 , 365 day battle. People mislead others by teaching that when they attend some church or kneel at an altar, all their problems simply vanish. What happens is we become enlightened to the truth of God and who He is. We receive of His spirit within our hearts and we see and come to realize a difference. Our mind is changed, our heart is changed , and every aspect of us changes, however, we still live in this body and in this world and we are tempted and tried. The Bible tells us,” Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” ( Romans 12:2) It takes a daily sacrifice of ourselves and a constant study and reading of His word to learn what is right and perfect and what the will of God is.

Through that word , we come to understand and come to the knowledge of our place in Christ Jesus. We then learn by Him and His Word and the Spirit He indwells us in, the reconciliation He has made . And it is by that Gospel or Good News, we share and give to others. The Bible tells us, “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.” ( 2 Cor.5:19 ) So it is with us towards others. We have to give the same consideration to others as Christ did for us. We are to establish the word of reconciliation to others.

Many people have wronged us or hurt us or we had problems and misunderstandings that drove us apart or away from certain people and even we have harmed others with words and actions that may have separated us from them. In many situations, as God leads we also have to go and attempt to reconcile with another. Whether it be a friend, co-worker, a family member, or a past relationship, and or fellow church members. The Bible tells us we all are of one body ( Romans 12:5). So we have to reconcile and set things in order in truth, and love and by the Word of God. Not everyone will receive that message and not everyone will be willing to reconcile, but one has to for their own sake attempt to clear the air and make the truth known. We are to Forgive, to be forgiven, ( Matthew 6:15 )

We are to speak that word of reconciliation God has imputed to us . And we are to speak that word to everyone. Sometimes it's difficult to speak reconciliation to someone who has hurt us, but it takes the Love and spirit of God and His leading to be able to do what is right and just, by His word. Again not everyone will receive that message, and many will reject it and you, but you have to speak and do it, whether or not they accept or reject it, is totally up to them. Jesus spoke the word of truth and the message of reconciliation to all men, and not everyone accepted His truth. And because it angered them they sought to kill Him, over and over. Many will reject and despise you for it, but you have to obey the word of God.

One needs to understand, to be lead of God in doing so. You can not out of self-righteousness or pride force your ideas on another hoping somehow it will change the situation . No , we have to be lead of God and God will set in order those things that need to be spoken and the heart of the other person will be open to it. Even if they reject it and you, their heart was still open to hear and know it was a truth. So it is with every man. They know there is a God, they just simply refuse to retain that knowledge of Him and obey His word and you can read that in Romans chapter 1 .

Now about past relationships, where people have divorced and families have parted . Reconciliation does not mean they or you will ever get back together as a couple. Yes, that can and has happened in peoples lives, however most of the time those feelings and issues have gone so long, even if both forgive , that sort of relationship can never be rekindled and in most circumstances should never be anyway. The Bible tells us, to not put away your spouse, only for fornication, and if you do , you are to remain unmarried.( 1 Cor.7:11 ) The doctrine of today rejects that fact. But God , and His Word has never changed. Many have married and remarried so often and so many problems have stemmed from the very first marriage that it causes problems and issues in all the others, and yet they continue to go on ,marrying another and another trying to be happy, but will not admit and or acknowledge their problem remains within themselves, and it causes the problems they desire to get free of by remarrying another.

A woman is to remain unmarried and or be ' reconciled ' back to her husband, that is the word of God. And one can make excuse after excuse, but the Truth of the Bible remains, the Truth. How many problems could be avoided by all of us , if we simply obeyed the word of God. No, I do not believe God expects anyone to stay in a abusive relationship, however, we are to remain in a relationship with God, in-spite of anyone or anything else. Just because your spouse decides to do the wrong thing, you are to remain faithful to God in all things. Your faithfulness, may be the very thing that will bring your spouse to the truth and wisdom and enlightenment of the Word of reconciliation, and bring them to Christ. Here is what the Bible tells us, “ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let them depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife ,whether thou shalt save thy husband ? Or how knowest thou, O man , whether thou shalt save thy wife ? But as God hath distributed to every man, and the Lord hath called everyone, so let them walk. ( 1 Cor.7:14-17 )

We are to reconcile , by the word of God. Yes, we are to forgive no matter what and we are to speak the word of reconciliation to all men. For as man was reconciled back to God through Jesus Christ, we also are to be reconciled to others through Jesus Christ .It is His love and compassion and by His word of truth we are to make things right. Not for self gain, nor pride or to make others think we are something that we are not. We simply are to speak the word of reconciliation by the Biblical means to all mankind . Just as Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, we are to give ourselves to Him and to others for His sake . Speak the words of reconciliation to those in whom the Lord sends you to. And get closer on past problems that maybe hindering your present walk with God. But, it has to be done out of Godly love and compassion and to hopefully, bring the word of reconciliation to those who are in need of salvation through Jesus Christ, and to bring about them to a clear understanding of the need they have and the answer, God provides for every situation, by His word. And if it's simply to close a door in your life that has made you bitter or angry at others because of an action or words that did you harm. And more so for the harm you caused others at some point. Get rid of any spot or blemish in your life, and anything that would cause your walk with God to be hindered . Pray and ask God today, to show you what those things are and what you need to do about it. Allow the Spirit of God to lead you and give you the words of reconciliation to share with them . That you all may come to forgive in all things and be forgiven in all things, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

We all are sinners saved by grace. God sent Jesus His only begotten son to redeem us back to Himself. No one else could, only God could. And through that compassion and love towards us, He spoke reconciliation, even when we did not deserve it . He still came, He still gave, He still Loved. We are to do the same in our everyday life . We are to be an example of the Love God shared with us, we are to share with others. It does not matter, when or how long or whatever the case maybe. God knows the heart of man, and He knows who will receive and who will not. But we as children of God, have to obey the things of God and do what is right, no matter what anyone else does . I speak reconciliation to all who read this. May your eyes be enlightened to see what God did for you and how He gave His all, to reconcile with you. No, you did not deserve it, and you can not earn it, but God gives it anyway to us all. We just have to accept and believe . Put yourself in the others persons spot for a moment . Put yourself in Gods . What is better to forgive and reconcile and or stay separate and lost ? Be reconciled to God ,today. But also be reconciled back to your family, friends, your spouse, your kids, your parents, your co-workers, and just whomever it maybe, make reconciliation by the word of God that speaks reconciliation to all. Forgive, that ye maybe forgiven.

May God Bless you today , by His word.

The Bible Man.