Reconciliation[79]
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Reconciliation
Savannah Van Ornum Liberty University
THEO 104: Introduction to Theology Stuart Cox
March 6, 2023
Reconciliation
Reconciliation, as defined in the textbook Everyday Theology: Exploring the Christian Faith is repairing one’s relationship. (Gabriel Etzel and R. N., 2016 p.97). This article will examine what reconciliation is as well as discuss biblical, theological, and historical concepts for reconciliation. The purpose of this essay explores salvation in different ways in hopes to gain more understanding. I will also be sharing a personal application on how this topic relates to the life of a Christian and my personal vocation: substance abuse counselor. Lastly, this paper gives an explanation between reconciliation and the problem of sin. In the bible, there are a number of times throughout both the Old and New Testaments reconciliation
to God is spoken of. In the book of Leviticus, it gives an example after Moses’ brother Aaron’s two sons die the Lord deems him unclean. In Order to come into the presence of the Lord once more, Arron must be reconciled to God through a burnt offering. The Bible passage reads this, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering (ESV, Leviticus 16:2-3).
In the New Testament, reconciliation to God is very different. 2 Corinthians explains that, “Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us”
(ESV, 2 Corinthians 5:18).
Sometime before 1500-1600 AD Martin Luther urged the roman catholic church towards reformation. He was convinced that justification came by faith which was condrdictory to the roman catholic consensus. Throughout the Old Testament Gods continuous attempt to reconcile his people to himself are shown through sacrifice. Gods people were to sacrifice animals to the Lord in order to be reconciled to God and to continue to remain clean. God has since reconciled his people to himself in a new way- through Christ. The bible says, “Now all things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” (ESV 2 Corinthians 5:8). There is a lot to unpack in this verse. First, instead of being reconciled through sacrifice, it is now through Christ. Second, this verse is saying people who are reconciled are now in the ministry of reconciliation meaning they are to be assisting God in reconciling his people to Him. The bible also says, “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (ESV, Romans 10:13). Therefore, through Christ sacrifice all it takes to be reconciled to God dis calling on his name and proclaiming him Lord and savior.
The difference between reconciliation and sin is that sin is what separates people from God and reconciliation is how people are able to commune with God and be in right standing with Him. Sin is the problem, while reconciliation is the solution.
Since the beginning of human creation, the world has had a sin problem. God has been in constant pursuit of his people since the fall of mankind when Adam and Eve sinned against God in the beginning of time. He has now provided a way for his people to be reconciled to him once and for all through the gift of salvation through Christ. In the textbook Everyday Theology it says, “the death of Christ on the cross (sacrifice) satisfied the wrath of God against the sins of
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humanity (propitiation) by placing the guilt and shame of sin on Jesus (substitution) and provides an opportunity for humanity to be in a renewed relationship with God (reconciliation)”
(
Gabriel Etzel and R. N., 2016 p.97). There is now no need for sacrifice because Christ has paid it all for Gods people, reconciling them to God.
This is extremely important in the life of a Christian because some Christians try to earn their way to heaven. They think if they act a certain way God will love them more when in truth God already loves them more than he ever will. Christ has paid it all there is no earning the way to Heaven, only accepting the gift.
As you can see reconciliation to God is very simple. It takes one act of faith and is worth the reward- repairing a relationship with God. Works Cited
English Standard Version Bible Gabriel Etzel and R. N. Small, Everyday Theology: Exploring the Christian Faith
, ed. Ben Gutierrez and Gabriel Etzel (B&H Academic, 2016), 97.