The Doctrine of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

“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.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

II Corinthians 5:18-20—in these three verses, the words related to reconciliation occur 5 times.

• Reconciled (v. 18), Reconciliation (v. 18), Reconciling (v.19), Reconciliation (v.19), Reconciled (v.20)

Reconciled— “brought into friendship from a state of disagreement or enmity; made consistent; adjusted” (Webster’s 1828).

This word is past tense and speaks of those who have already been brought into friendship from a previous state of enmity.

Reconciliation —

• the act of reconciling parties at variance; renewal of friendship after disagreement or enmity.

• In Scripture, the means by which sinners are reconciled and brought into a state of favor with God, after natural estrangement or enmity; the atonement; expiation. (Webster’s 1828).

• This word speaks of the act of taking two parties that are at variance and settling the enmity between them.

Reconciling — “bringing into favor and friendship after variance; bringing to content or satisfaction; showing to be consistent; adjusting; making to agree.” (Webster’s 1828)

• Once again this word speaks about the active process of settling the differences between two parties.

• Those that are working on settling their differences are said to be in the process of “reconciling.”

• “Reconciliation” does not occur until both parties have settled their differences and put away their former enmity. At which point one can say they have “reconciled.”

What the meaning of these words teach is that…

• RECONCILIATION IS BOTH A PROCESS AND TWO SIDED.

• One party might be willing to be “reconciled” and take steps and actions towards that end.

• However, it is not until the second party desires to be “reconciled” and agrees to settle their differences that one can say “reconciliation” has occurred.

Other forms of Reconciliation in the Scripture

1) The reconciliation of Israel (Ezek. 45:15-20)

2) The reconciliation among brethren (Matt. 5:24)

3) The reconciliation in Marriage (1 Cor. 7:11)

4) Reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles in one body (Eph. 2:16)

The need for Reconciliation

• Because we were ungodly (Rom. 5:6)

• Because we were Sinners (Rom. 5:8)

• Because we were Enemies (Rom. 5:10)

• Because we were Gentiles (Eph. 2:11)

• Because we were Uncircumcised (Eph. 2:11)

• Because we were Alienated (Eph. 2:12; 4:17-18)

• Because we were Strangers and far off (Eph. 2:12)

• Because we were Without Christ, God, Hope (Eph. 2:12)

How Reconciliation was obtained?

1.There had to be a mediator to represent both parties – Gal. 3:20, I Tim. 2:5

2. There had to be propitiation.

– It took the obedient life, sacrificial death, shed blood, and bodily resurrection of Christ – Rom. 3:25; 5:10; 10:15; Col. 1:20-22

3. There had to be an advocate. – I John 2:1

Therefore, God took the necessary steps (sending Christ to die on the cross for sin) that MAY result in one’s eventual reconciliation to him.

Romans 5:10 – “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Colossians 1:21 – “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”

Ephesians 2:13-17 – “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

But it is not until one agrees with him about their problem (sin) and accepts God’s provision (the blood of Christ) for it by faith, that one is ACTUALLY reconciled to God. Just because God is no longer at enmity with mankind based upon the cross work of Christ does not mean that humanity is not at enmity with him. If enmity exists within one or both of the party’s COMPLETE “reconciliation” has not occurred.

“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.”

• God has already wrought in Christ by which He has thoroughly changed the relation of the whole world to Himself so that He does not reckon their trespasses unto them.

• God has temporarily put on hold of his wrath against sin and offer reconciliation and peace for His enemies.

• For most of the past 2,000 years God’s attitude and dealing toward the world has been grace and peace.

• II Corinthians 6:2—this verse has been true for most of the past 2,000 years. The entire dispensation of grace is day of salvation.

The Scope of Reconciliation

1. Dealt with man’s alienation from God – In Adam, apart from God (Romans 5:12).

2. Dealt with the Gentile’s alienation from God (Romans 1:18; 11:15).

3. Dealt with the alienation because of man’s sins personally committed (2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 5:8-11).

4. Dealt with the alienation perpetuated by the middle wall of partition (Eph. 2:14-16).

5. Dealt with the alienation of the church in the heavenly places (Col. 1:20-21; Eph. 1:19-23; Col.2:10,14-15).

6. Dealt with the alienation of Israel by being cut-off from the plan of God in this age (Romans 11).

The Believer is now…

1.Reconciled by God. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 5:18, 19; Colossians 1:20).

2. Reconciled to God. “Much more being reconciled to God” (Romans 5:10; II Corinthians 5:20).

3. Having peace with God (Romans 5:1)

4. Given the word and ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20).

Reconciliation is a basis. Reconciliation is an accomplished fact. Reconciliation is not a word which can be projected into the future. Reconciliation being the basis, we are prepared to find that salvation is “much more.”

“Much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Rom. 5:10).

The death of Christ was for all, without reference to faith, knowledge and capacity to know. Reconciliation has been effected through “the gospel. . . which is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth”(Romans 1:16). Reconciliation has made justification a possibility; reconciliation is not a future goal but a basis upon which God squarely rests the gospel committed to Paul.

Evangelist Rodgie Quirante

The Workman’s Treasure Study Series