THE GOSPEL RECONCILES SINNERS WITH GOD

Texts: Rom 5:10-11; 2 Cor 5:18-20; Col 1:20-22

Rom 5:10-11
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.
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

2 Cor 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;
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.
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.

Col 1:20-22
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:

1. The Definition Of Reconciliation

1) General: The Greek word “allasso” means to change from a state of being

to a state of friendship and peace. (Eph. 2:13-16; Col. 1:20-22; Rom. 5:10-11; 11:15; 1 Cor. 7:11; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Mt. 5:24)

2) Theological: The act of God whereby He replaces the state of

between God and man with a relationship of

Reveal Answer

friendship

through peace purchased by the death of Christ on the cross, which now places the believing sinner in a favorable position with God through the covering of the guilt of sin with His blood.

2. The Facts Of Reconciliation

1) We, who are saved, were

of God. (Rom. 5:10)

• Lost mankind is at war with God. This war rages in two directions: God’s wrath abides upon lost mankind and is revealed from heaven (Rom. 1:18); man’s enmity with God is revealed in the rebellion of his sin nature.

2) We, who are saved, are now at

with God. (Col. 1:20-22)

3. The Steps Of Reconciliation

1) God took the first step and made reconciliation with Him possible through the

of Christ. (2 Cor. 5:18-19)

• God is not reconciled to man. Man is reconciled to God.
• How is this made possible? Through the blood of Jesus, God is propitiated, and man’s sin is expiated. Therefore, on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, God offers lost mankind the promise of forgiveness on the condition of faith.

2) We must respond to God’s gracious invitation for reconciliation and seek to be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:20)

• Faith is the only condition of reconciliation on man’s part.

4. The History Of Reconciliation

1) At creation – God and man

at peace with one another.

2) At the Fall – Man committed sin and all mankind

enemies of God.

3) At the Cross – God made reconciliation with man

by taking the penalty of our offence upon Himself.

4) At Salvation – Man is reconciled to God by

.

5. The Blessings Of Reconciliation

1) Peace

God (Col. 1:20-21; Rom. 5:1)

• God is no longer our enemy, and we are no longer God’s enemy. We have a peace treaty written and signed in Blood. The only signature on the treaty is God’s.

2) Peace in

(Rom. 5:10)

• Because our salvation is absolutely secure we are at peace in our salvation. We have security and assurance.

3) Peace

God (Phil. 4:6, 7; Gal. 5:22)

• We can experience peace as a fruit of our walk with God.

4) Peace with

(Eph. 2:14-19)

5) Peace

(2 Cor. 5:18-20, Mt. 5:9)

• We are ambassadors of peace. An ambassador is an official representative with an official message. We represent God with his message of reconciliation. We have a message to give. We are dignitaries of the King living in a host nation. This world is not our home. We are citizens of heaven.

6) Peace of

(Rom. 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9)

• We will never deal with God’s wrath in the future to come.

Conclusion:

• The doctrine of reconciliation is one of the reasons that the gospel is good news. The gospel makes us at peace with God.