Reconciliation

Meaning of Reconciliation

Reconciliation contains the thought of removing enmity that might exist between two parties. It is the restoration of a relationship that has been severed due to conflict, bringing it back to friendship, thus reconciling the two parties. Conflicts and loss of harmony can arise within families—between siblings and parents or between husbands and wives—as well as among friends, and they certainly occur within assembly life. People may say the wrong thing to someone; they may express different ideas or decide to go in a different direction. There are examples in Scripture such as the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark (Acts 15:36-41). Obviously, Paul and Mark made things right and so there was reconciliation and Mark ultimately proved to be of value to Paul (2 Tim. 4:11). From Philippians 4:2 it seems that two women had a falling out over an unnamed issue. Paul begs or implores them to get things right, to be of the same mind in the Lord.

The Greek word means, “a change or an exchange.” Vine goes on to say, “a change on the part of one party, induced by an action on the part of another; in the New Testament the reconciliation of men to God by His grace and love in Christ.” Other commentators use the following phrases, “from hostility to harmony” and “from enmity to amity.” In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word occurs ninety-four times, most often as “atonement” as in Leviticus 8:15 (NKJV), meaning “to cover.” Another example is in Ezekiel 45:20, “…Thus you shall make atonement for the temple” (NKJV). It is also translated as “appease’ or “pacify,” and in Leviticus 16:20 it is rendered “reconciling” (KJV).

Cause of Separation

Humanity has been separated from God due to sin. God is holy, and in His economy there is a penalty for sin which begins with separation from God. Not only are we separated but both Romans 5:10 and Colossians 1:21 say “we were enemies.” This speaks to the gap that exists between mankind and a Holy God. Never is there an indication that God needs to be reconciled, and the term is never applied to Him. It might be said that God never moved, and it is only mankind that has moved away from God.

Cure for Separation

There has to be a pathway for reconciliation to occur. God has made that provision. We read in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them…” It is through the death of the Lord Jesus and as the result of His shed blood that reconciliation is possible. When a person accepts the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior they are at that moment reconciled with God. It is on that basis that we can call God our Father. If salvation does not occur in life, then that person will face eternal separation from God with no possibility of reconciliation. These verses give emphasis and evidence that God is the reconciler, and it is only through Christ that this has been accomplished.

Consequences of Reconciliation

In 2 Corinthians 5, the verses about reconciliation follow from the thought expressed in verse 17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” All this is of God, just as in physical creation where God initiated and provided all that humanity needed. So now in the salvation He offers, all is new and provided for us. Along with reconciliation and this new relationship there are now responsibilities. God “…has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (v.19). We are ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in a world of humanity that needs to be reconciled to God. We present the gospel and in so doing we are pleading with sinners so that they will see the need for reconciliation. Paul says, “…as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (v.20).

Romans 5:6-11 is a parallel passage to 2 Corinthians 5. These verses describe our unsaved state; we were enemies, ungodly, and sinners. Due to the love of God, even when we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This reconciliation was accomplished through the death of Christ causing us to rejoice in God. We also have the guarantee of eternal security because of the life of Christ. These thoughts are also found in Colossians 1:19-22; reconciliation leads to peace with God. It also changes our standing from alienated and enemies to being seen as “holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (v.22).

There is another aspect of reconciliation presented in Ephesians 2:11-22 as Paul expounds on the effect of the cross for both Jews and Gentiles. The Lord’s death led to the abolishment of the “law of commandments,” that which was central to Jewish life and culture. The Gentiles on the other hand had no concern for such things. This was the wall that separated them, which Christ abolished through His death. The enmity that existed between Jew and Gentile is abolished in that both are reconciled to God in one body. Peace has replaced enmity and being brought near is our condition as opposed to that of being aliens, strangers, and foreigners. We are now fellow citizens, members of the household of God and collectively a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Catesby Paget’s hymn wonderfully expresses what we enjoy when reconciliation takes place at salvation:

A mind at perfect peace with God,
Oh, what a word is this!
A sinner reconciled through blood;
This, this, indeed is peace!

By nature and by practice far,
How very far from God!
Yet now by grace, brought nigh to Him,
Through faith in Jesus’ blood.

So near, so very near to God,
I cannot nearer be
For in the person of His Son,
I am as near as He.

So dear, so very dear to God,
More dear I cannot be
The love wherewith He loves the Son,
Such is His love to me.

Challenge of Reconciliation

The thoughts expressed above have to do with our position in Christ as those who now enjoy peace with God, having been justified on the basis of Christ’s death. There is also a practical aspect of reconciliation in that we are called upon to act in a similar way toward others. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, differences and offenses may lead to a broken relationship. The Lord Jesus addresses such issues in Matthew 5:21-26, talking about the necessity of making things right. He said, ”Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift” (vv.23-24). The charge is for us to make things right on a human level before we consider offering up spiritual sacrifices to God. The following song by Gloria Gaither expresses in a lovely way why each of us must seek reconciliation when it is within our power to do so:

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
And I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid;
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother;
The law of love I gladly will obey.