Reconciliation

 

Elder Truman Keel


As I turn my hand to pen down a few thoughts, with Christmas time drawing nigh, my mind is lead, (by the spirit I trust) to Jesus’ incarnation into this world and the great and wonderful works that He accomplished and made peace and satisfaction.

 

The word reconcile or reconciliation seems to describe the work that He did while He was here. This subject has been on my mind for a while even after I have made more than one effort to speak on it.

 

Simply stated, according to dictionaries, the word reconcile is made up of two roots brought together to make one word. Re- (again or anew) concile (to bring together). Let us study this work of God here upon the earth.

 

For those who are interested Elder John Leland in ‘Religion In America’ beginning on page 383 has an outstanding discourse on reconciliation from whom I borrowed a few thoughts.

 

(Col. 1:20) “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.” I am persuaded, by the first four words (and having made peace) that He had made peace where there was an absence of peace, this was done by the blood of His cross. The blood of His cross made satisfaction concerning something that was not before satisfied.

 

I now desire to bring to your attention a scripture found in (II Cor. 5:19) “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.” Notice that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. (V 18) “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ.” Notice how He did it, by His Son. Back to Col. 1:20, Notice that all things were reconciled unto Himself, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

Jeremiah 6:16 “ Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls....” 

I am persuaded, that heaven is a place of perfection and hope to be carried there one day.  I am satisfied there has never been, there is not now, nor shall there ever be any imperfections in heaven.  It is the very abode of God.

 Let us once more remember the definition of reconcile, (again – re-anew, conciliation – to bring together.)  If it was necessary to bring together again things, then we must conclude that something or someone (God) was not satisfied.  Who was offended and who was the offender?

In my simple mind, I can see man as he stood before the bar of justice and his only answer could be guilty, guilty.  God’s law had been broken and it demanded that justice be meted out.  Truth was a witness against us also declaring that man is guilty.  God’s justice cried out for satisfaction.  I am convinced these are some of the things that He reconciled to Himself.

Mercy pleaded our case and God gave us a mediator.  (I Tim. 2:5)  “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus:” a mediator must be able to communicate with the ones he is mediating with.  Jesus was verily God and verily man.  If any man would come to God he must come through the mediator.  Remember, the Law was broken and no justice had been given.  The mediator is one.  Some men have endeavored to place themselves in the position of a mediator.  These men are verily men but they are not verily God.  They cannot mediate with God.

 This man Christ Jesus came into this world and He fulfilled God’s Law to a jot and title.  He made satisfaction.  He went to the cross and made satisfaction with Justice.  God’s justice had been meted out to the mediator.  Our surety was required to pay our debt.  The sword of justice fell upon the very Son of God.

The law and justice was satisfied here on earth and the Father in heaven accepted that sacrifice and that precious blood that was shed for you and I trust for myself atoned for our vile sins. 

(PS. 85:10-11) (V10) “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”  (V11)  “Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.”  Mercy which pleaded our case with God has won the case.  God has not dealt with us according to our iniquities but according to His mercy has He dealt with us.  God is pleased with the sacrifice and now mercy and truth are met together.  Brethren, shout it from the highest mountain. Mercy and truth are met together.  Everything is now reconciled by the Lord Himself; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.  Christ is our righteousness and He hath made peace through the blood of His cross.  The psalmist says, that truth shall spring out of the earth.  We have record that one who identified Himself as the way, the truth and the life came forth out of the grave and is now on the right hand of the Father. Righteousness shall look down from heaven. The only righteousness we have is now on the right hand of the Father.

God has now reconciled all things unto Himself and all is at peace. Paul declares that he hath been given the ministry of reconciliation. Brethren, I am persuaded, that a doctrine of reconciliation is all we have any authority to preach. All is reconciled and God is at peace with us and all things.

I pray we might be at peace with God!