What does it mean to be "In Christ?" Pt. 12 Enmity removed. Grace flows, Reconciliation is possible.
Good morning to each of you. I hope that each one of you has enjoyed a blessed Christmas Day. I continue to be amazed at all that had to occur in order for God to become a man. How much He loved us to move heaven and earth in order to save rebels like us.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 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. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Paul brings the great truth of reconciliation. Sinners are born as the enemies of God and great enmity exists between God and man. Yet, God removed the enmity when He poured out His wrath for our sins upon His Son, Jesus Christ. Now, sinners who turn to Christ in repentant faith can be reconciled to God.
Reconciliation is a word that means bringing two parties formerly in conflict back into a state of mutual friendship. In the spiritual sense it means God in grace can extend His offer of salvation through our Savior, Jesus Christ because He is satisfied by the work of Christ.
God now freely offers salvation to all who hear the gospel and respond by faith. However, there will be a time when God will bring the church age to an end and His wrath will be poured out on all who rejected salvation through Christ.
God was in Christ bringing reconciliation to man
Why? Because God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. The Father had to allow His Son to be killed on the cross and God was in Christ when this happened. The cost of our salvation cannot be fathomed because it is infinite. God offered up His own Son to save us from our sins. That is the most costly sacrifice and it is no wonder that the Father will pour out His wrath on those who reject His son.
Romans 5:9-10 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 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.
Reconciliation is possible only through the God-Man Jesus Christ. The perfect work of Christ on the cross removed rebellious man's enmity toward God. Thus, the gospel's offer of salvation is made available to "Whosover shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
What are the tangible spiritual blessings of reconciliation in Christ?
The enmity is taken out of the way.
Ephesians 2:15-16 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:
Man is no longer the object of God's wrath.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Repentant sinners pass from being under wrath to being granted all spiritual blessings in Christ.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Repentant sinners pass from death to spiritual life.
Ephesians 2:1; 4-5. 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
God no longer imputes because of His grace but you must respond by faith to the gospel of Christ.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 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. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Paul brings the great truth of reconciliation. Sinners are born as the enemies of God and great enmity exists between God and man. Yet, God removed the enmity when He poured out His wrath for our sins upon His Son, Jesus Christ. Now, sinners who turn to Christ in repentant faith can be reconciled to God.
Reconciliation is a word that means bringing two parties formerly in conflict back into a state of mutual friendship. In the spiritual sense it means God in grace can extend His offer of salvation through our Savior, Jesus Christ because He is satisfied by the work of Christ.
God now freely offers salvation to all who hear the gospel and respond by faith. However, there will be a time when God will bring the church age to an end and His wrath will be poured out on all who rejected salvation through Christ.
God was in Christ bringing reconciliation to man
Why? Because God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. The Father had to allow His Son to be killed on the cross and God was in Christ when this happened. The cost of our salvation cannot be fathomed because it is infinite. God offered up His own Son to save us from our sins. That is the most costly sacrifice and it is no wonder that the Father will pour out His wrath on those who reject His son.
Romans 5:9-10 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 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.
Reconciliation is possible only through the God-Man Jesus Christ. The perfect work of Christ on the cross removed rebellious man's enmity toward God. Thus, the gospel's offer of salvation is made available to "Whosover shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
What are the tangible spiritual blessings of reconciliation in Christ?
The enmity is taken out of the way.
Ephesians 2:15-16 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:
Man is no longer the object of God's wrath.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Repentant sinners pass from being under wrath to being granted all spiritual blessings in Christ.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Repentant sinners pass from death to spiritual life.
Ephesians 2:1; 4-5. 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
God no longer imputes because of His grace but you must respond by faith to the gospel of Christ.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Romans 8:31-32 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Points to Ponder...
- Man's sins have been paid in full by Jesus Christ.
- The enmity between God and man has been taken out of the way because of the cross.
- Man is no longer under the wrath of God because of Christ's work.
- God is free to act in grace and send the gospel of Christ to all the world.
- Repentant sinners pass from death and condemnation to life and blessing.
- God does not impute sins during this age of grace because Christ paid for all of them.
- You must be born again. If you die without Christ as Savior you die in your sins and are under the judgment of God.
God graced all mankind through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, all who choose to ignore the gospel and reject Christ will be under the wrath of God and suffer eternal judgment.
God is just in pardoning all who trust in Jesus Christ because the blood of Christ paid for all mankind's sins. God is just in condemning all Christ rejectors because He did not spare His own Son, but sacrificed Him in order to save us.
May we be humbled in thinking about all Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross and through His resurrection so we can have a relationship throughout eternity. May we be inspired to fully live each day for His honor and glory.
Bob
Bob
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