70 likes | 196 Views
Be Reconciled to God. 2 nd Corinthians 5:14-21. 2nd Corinthians 5:14-21.
E N D
Be Reconciled to God • 2nd Corinthians 5:14-21
2nd Corinthians 5:14-21 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The Meaning of Reconciliation • Three forms of the word are used in the New Testament • Diallasso - involves mutual action by each party to bring about a change of relations between them • Never found denoting God and man • Matthew 5:23-24 Reconcile with brother before offering • Katallasso - normal word with God & man • Used to denote change or exchange (used especially with money in Greek writings) • One party exchanges, one is exchanged • In 2 Corinthians 5, change is from enmity to friendship • Apokatallasso - stronger form of previous • Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20-22
Bible Shows Meaning of Reconciliation • Isaiah 59:1-11 • 1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity. 4 No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; they conceive evil and bring forth iniquity… 9 Therefore justice is far from us, nor does righteousness overtake us; we look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness! 10 We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes; we stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places.11 We all growl like bears, and moan sadly like doves; we look for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. • Luke 13:23-27By right, we are excluded from His presence • James 4:4-10Reconciled by humbly seeking God’s grace • All are separated from God because of sin • Only God can affect change of relation, so we meet His terms
The Means of Reconciliation • Was theme of Messianic prophecy • Daniel 9:24“Seventy weeks are determined… to make reconciliation…” • Sacrifice of Christ given for all sinners • 2 Corinthians 5:14-15“If One died for all, then all died; and He died for all” • Hebrews 2:9“He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” • 1 Timothy 2:6“Gave Himself a ransom for all…” • 1 Peter 3:18“Christ also suffered once for sin, the just for the unjust…” • Sacrifice of Christ for the ungodly is the only just way to reconcile • Romans 5:6-11“Reconciled to God through the death of His Son…” • Christ fully provided for reconciliation • 2 Corinthians 5:17-19“God, who reconciled us to Himself thru Jesus Christ” • Ephesians 2:11-18Reconciled Jew & Gentile to God in His body thru cross • Colossians 1:19-23God reconciled all things to Himself by Christ’s blood • Change of relation takes place “in Christ”
The Message of Reconciliation • Initial reconciliation is dependent upon “word of reconciliation” • 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 “The word of reconciliation” given by apostles • Acts 2:39-42Remission of sins offered through calling of the gospel • Continuing effects of reconciliation is dependent on the Gospel • Colossians 1:21-23“Reconciled in His body” in “hope of the gospel” • How do we find reconciliation through the gospel? • As long as we remain in sin, we are at enmity with God - fit for His wrath • Gospel of Christ shows us the path for man to be reconciled to God • When we come into Christ, our relation is changed to friendship & family of God • As new creatures with a total change of condition & expectation of life • Have you been reconciled to God?