“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” – Romans 5:10-11 KJV

“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. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 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.” – 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 KJV

The Meaning of Reconciliation

The Greek word for reconciliation is katallage; it essentially denotes the idea of being ‘restored to God’–returning to Him. It is also referred to as ‘atonement‘, which essentially has to do with becoming one with God (at-one-ment).  Of course, it is necessary to return to and become one with God because at some point man turned away from Him by committing sin (Gen. 2:16-17, 3). As a result of this, humankind was at enmity with God, that is, through sin, we became enemies of God (Rom. 5:12-14).

But God didn’t give up on us; for “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 KJV). “For For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV). And “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13 KJV)

Two Phases of Reconciliation

There is something about the doctrine of reconciliation that people often overlook: there are two phases to it.  The first phase has to do with Jesus bridging the gap that existed between humankind and God as a result of sin; He accomplished this through His death (Rom. 5:15-21). Incidentally, this very clearly discloses that salvation begins with Jesus Christ, not with man. Hence Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith…” (Heb. 12:2)

The second phase has to do with receiving the reconciliation. In other words, it has to do with us not only accepting the fact that Jesus died for us, but also has to do with us receiving Him as He is by inviting Him to enter into our hearts so that He might change our lives, and thus restore us into His image (Rom. 8:29; 2Cor. 3:18; Col. 3:10).

Therefore it could be said that reconciliation is an expression of God’s love for humankind, and manifests itself in our lives when we choose to believe in Jesus Christ.  Of course, when I say ‘believe’ I am referring to the kind of response that actually produces godly results, not something that constitutes a shallow counterfeit of faith.  That is, it’s the kind of choice that results in us receiving Jesus’ perfect way as our own, allowing Him to minister within our lives day by day. (Jn. 15:1-15; Eph.4:17-24)  Indeed, this is truly what it means to become a child of God and to be one with God and to be reconciled to God.

False Impressions

Many are under the impression that as a result of what Jesus did for us on the cross we have been given a license to sin.  Thus, they feel that it isn’t necessary to let go of their worldly lusts because Jesus’ blood covers it all.  It would do them well to meditate on the following verses:

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” – 1 John 2:4-6 KJV

Those who espouse a cheap gospel which encourages people to wink at lawlessness are not speaking according to the Spirit.  After all, how could anyone say that they have accepted Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life, while not allowing Him to be the way, the truth, and the life to them? How could anyone say that they are abiding in Christ while refusing to let Him be the Christ of their lives?

Please understand that this has nothing to do with obtaining salvation through our own works, but everything to do with being sincere with God. It’s about changing the way we think about Him so much that we would let this mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5).  Those who try to discourage others from living a life of obedience to God should be corrected.  And if they refuse to change the way they think about this and persist in speaking such lies, they should be avoided altogether.

Furthermore, there are some who think that before they can receive the gift of salvation they have to be sinless.  Meaning, they feel that they can’t be sure that they have been reconciled to God unless they repent of all of their sins first–both known and unknown.  God does not require us to know all that there is to know about our characters before we can give our hearts to Him and receive the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” – John 3:36 KJV

Of course, that doesn’t mean God doesn’t care about our character issues or that we should look at them lightly; it simply means that salvation isn’t earned, but given by God’s grace and received through faith in Jesus Christ.  Not by achieving a state of sinlessness.  Nevertheless, we are required to repent before entering into a relationship with God.  For Jesus had said, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17 KJV). But what is true repentance?  I will deal with this in the next section…

Reconciliation and the Role of Repentance

The Greek word for repent is, metanoeo; it essentially means, ‘to think differently’ or ‘to reconsider’.  With that said, isn’t this something that must happen before an unbeliever becomes a believer? Think about it for a moment: how could we let this mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus without thinking differently or reconsidering our thoughts about God? For that matter, how could worldly minded people accept the gift of salvation without thinking differently about life or reconsidering their worldview? Even Jesus’ words appear to suggest that repentance precedes change of belief.  For He had said, “repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15 KJV). Therefore repentance is not only a requirement of salvation, it an essential part of it.

Some might be inclined to think of repentance as a work in that they would assume that it can’t be a prerequisite to or a requirement of salvation because the Bible tells us that we can’t be saved by our works (Eph. 2:8).  However, repentance is not to be seen as a work of man; rather, it is to be acknowledged as a response to God.  And because it is a response to God it is the result of God’s work.

Of course, that’s not to say that God makes us repent, as if to suggest that we don’t have a choice in the matter.  What it simply means is that God receives all of the glory for it because He opened the way of salvation to us through Jesus Christ, and we have chosen to respond favorably to His good work in doing so by accepting it.  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV). Thus, we can be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (Philippians 1:6 NKJV) And what is the work that He began in us? The work of salvation of course! Let’s face it, Jesus didn’t die to save us in sin, but to save us from our sins; for it is written, “he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 KJV)

Therefore “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 KJV). But that cleansing isn’t going to happen unless a person changes the way they think about God. Hence true repentance is conformity to God.  And as we draw closer to Him and behold His perfect love, we will desire to become more and more like Him.  That is, we won’t try to ignore our character issues; instead, we will cast our cares on Jesus Christ and invite Him to transform our lives as He sees fit, believing that we are loved the same every step of the way (1Pt. 5:7).

For more on this please read The God Who Smiles and Perfection in Christ.

Conclusion

God is faithful to do the work that only He can do. And if anyone truly desires to be reconciled to Him, they will invite Him to work out His good will in and through them. Paul summed it up well when he had said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). Does this describe your life? If not, what is keeping you from receiving the gift that Jesus desires to give to you? What is keeping you from being reconciled to God?  Certainly not God!  After all, He is the one who initiated the whole thing through Jesus Christ.

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister…” – Colossians 1:13-23 KJV

If this is something that is lacking in your life, then I encourage you to invite God to give it to you now, believing that He has already accomplished it through Jesus Christ and will make it a reality for you if you would but ask Him to.  Be reconciled to God…