The Mighty Reconciler

Jesus not only came to show us what God the Father is like, but to Reconcile us to Him. He accomplished this through His death on the cross, making it possible for all who believe in Christ Jesus to be saved from eternal death in Hell. Yes, when all humanity was at odds with a holy God it was Jesus Christ who came to our rescue. Through His work we sinners can be reconciled to God. Note Paul’s explanation of this wonderful reality.

2 Cor. 5:18, And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Col. 1:19-20, For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; [20] 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.

Now, reconciliation presupposes that we once had a relationship with God. First, the word reconciliation implies that a relationship has been “broken” and that it is in need of mending. As sinners we are lost, separated from God, with no relationship with God.  We were even at enmity against God, at odds with Him and even attacking his holiness with every single act or thought of sin. 

It is true; however, that every person once had a relationship with God before we were estranged from Him by sin.  You see in Adam, our Federal Head/ Seminal Head, we all had a relationship with God prior to the fall of Adam (Rom. 5:12-21).  Without exception then, we all once had a relationship with God in Adam.  Therefore, the use of the term reconcile in the Bible is a perfect description of God’s grace gift of salvation toward us.

Faith In the Blood of Christ is Enough For Reconciliation With God!

Col. 1:13-14, Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

 Ephes. 1:7-8, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

To Become Reconciled to God We Need Only Repent/ Believe in Jesus Christ. Faith is the Son of God as our Savior and to accept what He did on the cross as being on our behalf. Jesus Christ is totally sufficient for our salvation. He did not leave out a single necessary element in the salvation and reconciliation He provides. 

No Rituals, Or Ceremonies Are Necessary on Our Part.

There are those in various religions and even some 'Christian' denominations who claim that for a person to be fully reconciled to God, he must complete various rituals or fulfill certain types of works or obligations. This stems from an inadequate understanding of what the Lord Jesus actually accomplished through his definitive and comprehensive sacrifice for sin. Again the issue is not that Christ's atonement is ineffective in some way, but the fact that we have failed to embrace the full truth of Christ's Cross and empty tomb. 

The Bible Only Teaches Faith in Christ the Lord and Savior.

John 3:14-15, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16,  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.

Faith in the completed work of Christ results in eternal life and whosoever believes in Him will not perish. Instead genuine believers will know all the joy of everlasting life because of the Lord Jesus, the Mighty Reconciler. 

Jesus Alone is the THE Savior!

Galatians 6:15, For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

God's Word Proclaims Strongly That No Amount of Works, Effort, or Goodness on Our Part Can Bring about Our Salvation. Human rituals, ceremonies, and religious activities can never secure reconciliation to God. These must fail because they are merely the offerings of fallen sinful human beings. Anything we attempt to appease God will and does fail because it is tainted with our sinfulness. In our fallen condition we have no right or basis for even approaching a holy God. How then can any religious ceremony we perform render us fully acceptable to Him?

In Fact, No One and No Thing Other than Jesus Christ Is the Savior. And furthermore, Jesus Christ is fully sufficient to be the Savior—nothing “in addition” to believing in Christ Jesus is necessary for a person to be born again spiritually, to receive God's forgiveness, and to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Ephes. 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

We can be sure that our spiritual relationship with God is good because we have been reconciled through the blood of Jesus Christ. We do not need to supplement our salvation with legalistic practices in order to earn God’s favor and approval.  We have been fully reconciled to God through faith in the complete sacrifice and resurrection of Christ Jesus. This is what God requires and nothing else can substitute for it or supplement it. Nothing!

Christ’s Reconciliation Brings about a Wonderful Change!

2 Cor. 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Believing In Jesus Christ Creates a “newness” in a person. The old sin nature was crucified with Christ and its power/influence in our lives has been broken. A new nature that desires the goodness and righteousness of God has been installed and firmly established. We are no longer the spiritual sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, but we are the spiritual sons and daughters of God the Father.

This change is not something that we are required to “work up” on our own. It is not something we must strive to do. Rather, it is the work of Jesus Christ in our lives. He is the One who changes us, from the inside out.

Read carefully these assuring and strengthening verses:

John 1:12-13, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  

  

2 Cor. 5:17-19, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] 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. 5:21, 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.  

Receiving Jesus Christ grants us the power to become sons of God. To be “in Christ” makes us new creatures where all things have become new. Jesus Christ was made sin for us at Calvary that we might be made the righteousness of God through faith in Him. What a glorious identity we have with God the Father once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and have been reconciled to God through His shed blood!

Beloved, there is nothing inadequate about the reconciliation Jesus offers us sinners. There may be some inadequacy in our understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, but no actual deficiencies in His saving work. When we understand what Christ affords us we have peace and assurance. We know there is nothing we can contribute to a perfect work of grace. Yes, Jesus Christ is The Mighty Reconciler!