JESUS, THE GREAT ACCOMPLISHER -- Tomorrow:
"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." (Colossians 1:20-22)
Devotion 15 of 32
" . . . by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself . . . "
I labor this point because it has been shrouded by modern day religious trends and teaching. God simply does not have anything to give us that does not come through the exalted Christ! This is precisely why we are "called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). Note, the relationship is a "fellowship," not a mere formal identity. Everything that is included in salvation is no more secure to us than the fellowship that we have with the Lord Jesus. If we are obtuse concerning Him, the blessings – all of them – are out of reach. If we refuse to hear Him who is speaking from heaven, we become incapable of receiving what comes through Him.
In my judgment, this is why Paul was so zealous to "win Christ," and to "know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death" (Phil 3:10). He knew that was the only way to obtain the salvation that is in Christ – both in summary and detail forms – Jesus "with eternal glory" (2 Tim 2:10).
You will be hard pressed to find this kind of mind-set in the average church, or even on an individual level. That circumstance is indicative of a falling way (2 Thess 2:3), a departure from the faith, and giving heed to seducing spirits (1 Tim 4:1).
Now, in strict keeping with the nature of salvation, reconciliation is said to be realized by Christ Jesus.
RECONCILE
" . . . to reconcile . . . " The word "reconcile" presumes the existence of hostility or enmity between the parties being reconciled. Where there is no reconciliation there can be no harmony or acceptance by either party. To reconcile involves moving a person from one state to another – from a state of antagonism to one of concord. It also carries the idea of restoring to favor and good will, those who had fallen under Divine displeasure.
Some limit reconciliation to an effect wrought upon man. Those espousing this opinion cannot see God's attitude toward man changing. He is thus viewed as always loving toward man, with only man having any hostility toward God. However, this is a wholly improper view of the matter. God Himself was impacted by what Jesus did. It is the Father who saw the travail of Christ's soul and was "satisfied" (Isa 53:11). It must ever be remembered that God has forgiven us "for Christ's sake" (Eph 4:32). That is, were it not for Christ, God would not have forgiven us. We would have remained "condemned" (John 3:18), with the "wrath of God" abiding upon us (John 3:36).
Prior to being in Christ "the wrath of God" abode upon us, not the love of God (John 3:36). It is written, "God is angry with the wicked every day" (Psa 7:11). Those who do not believe on the Son are "condemned already" (John 3:18). Such utterances do not describe the attitude of men toward God, but of God toward men. The very fact that God is "longsuffering" toward us, and "not willing that any should perish," reveals a certain impact that sin has had upon God Himself. Sin has not changed His nature, but it has changed how He views man. The holiness of God will not permit Him to be drawn toward those who are fundamentally unlike Himself. That is precisely why some will be cast into the lake of fire, forever thrust from the presence of the Lord.
The trite saying that God hates the sin but loves the sinner is not an inspired one. It was spawned in finite minds. Whatever people are trying to say by this clumsy expression needs to be said in a better way. It is categorically said of God, "the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth" (Psa 11:5). God is also said to abhor the covetous (Psa 10:3). There are people whom God considers His "enemies" (Psa 21:8; James 4:4). There were false shepherds God is said to have "loathed" (Zech 11:8). He is also declared to hate those who "sow discord among brethren" (Prov 6:19). The reconciliation accomplished through Christ Jesus addressed ALL of these circumstances.
The reconciling work of Christ has, in fact, changed the way God views those who "have now received the atonement" (Rom 5:11). That is one of the things being established by this text, and it is pivotal to an understanding of the Gospel. God is kindly disposed to us because of Christ. Apart from His Son, our person's and nature are abrasive and offensive to Him.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for an effective reconciliation.