Reconciliation |
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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!
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