The Doctrine of Reconciliation
A. DEFINITION
The basic idea in the word
reconciliation is very simple. It means
to restore something or someone to a specific standard.
As used in the Bible, man is viewed as out
of harmony with God, who, through the cross-work of Jesus Christ accomplishes what is
necessary to reverse the enmity and hostility between God and man.
- God doesn't change but man is totally
changed in the process.
- It speaks of the restoration of
relationships
In Reconciliation God is the subject
Man is the object
Christ is the means
B. THE NEED FOR RECONCILIATION: MAN IS A
SINNER
1. Paul argued for 3 chapters to establish
conclusively the existence of man's sinful condition saying, "... all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
a. This verse points to the
universality of sinfulness for it includes "all."
b. This verse also points to the nature
of sin--"all .... fall
short."
The word means "to lack what
one must have." It paints a picture of a legitimate bill that far exceeds
what one can possibly pay.
c. This verse finally points to the
standard which man fails to meet-- "the glory of God."
What, then, is the "glory of
God"?
Our answer comes from the Old Testament in passages such
as Exodus 24:16-17 which reads, 'And the glory of the Lord, rested on Mount
Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six
days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from
the midst of the cloud. And to the eyes of the sons of
The "glory" spoken of here refers to the person and presence
of God Himself.
The person and character of God
Himself sets the standard of holiness and righteousness.
A sinner, then, is anyone who is
less righteous than God.
2. The need for reconciliation is also
established by Romans 5:6-10 where four words are used to describe man's
condition pre-salvation.
a. Men are said to be
"helpless"; total inability, w/o strength.
b. Men are said to be "ungodly";
no reverence or respect for God.
c. Men are said to be
"sinners"; in violation of will of God.
d. Men are said to be
"enemies"; we're God's enemies, we're in open hostility to God.
[all
demonstrate that there is no basis for relationship, no harmony]
3. What, then, is the solution to this
disharmony--how can the problem be solved?
a. Can man bring himself back to
God? No! That's religion's answer.
b. Can God adjust Himself to man? No!
Ludicrous, violate His essence.
The righteous God of the universe cannot
and would not adjust himself to our sinfulness.
God is eternally and unchangeably
holy.
c. The last option expresses the
doctrine of reconciliation--God must undertake to adjust man to Himself.
C. THE
STANDARD FOR RECONCILIATION: GOD HIMSELF
1. Since reconciliation involves an
adjustment, we must determine the standard to which the adjustment is made.
a. 2 Corinthians 5:18 tells us that God
has, "... reconciled us to Himself
through Christ ...."
Here we have the standard of
reconciliation, "to Himself," and the means of doing so,
"through
Christ."
b. God Himself is the standard to which
adjustment must be made—His character may not be compromised in any way.
2. Reconciliation is always to God. He is
the constant and unchangeable one.
The question that remains, then, is
this, "How can God bring man into harmony with Himself without changing in
any way and without compromise of His own character?"
D. THE MEANS
OF RECONCILIATION: THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST
1. Ephesians
2. This means of reconciliation is also
taught in Colossians 1:20 and Romans 5:10-11.
The cross-work of Jesus Christ is the
heart of salvation.
The total solution to the problem of
man's sinfulness is realized exclusively in the cross-death of Jesus Christ.
The only contribution man can make is
his sinfulness; all else is solved by God through the death and resurrection of
His Son.
E. THE BASIS
OF RECONCILIATION: JESUS CHRIST BECAME
IDENTIFIED WITH SINNERS SO AS TO TAKE THEIR PLACE
1. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells
us, "He made Him who knew no sin to
be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in
Him."
2. Here we have the very heart of
salvation: Jesus Christ died in the place of the guilty sinner.
This is the biblical doctrine of
substitution. Rom 5:10-11 tie His death to reconciliation.
F. THE
CONDITION OF RECONCILIATION: OUR FAITH
Reconciliation is objectively provided by
the cross work of Christ and is appropriated by faith.
G. THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF RECONCILIATION: OUR
WITNESS
1. 2 Corinthians
a. First, reconciliation is a finished
work -- "... who reconciled us to
Himself through Christ..."
b. Second, this finished work is ours to
proclaim - He "... gave us the ministry of reconciliation “...
therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through
us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be
reconciled to God."