RECONCILATION

WORD OF WISDOM
PARDON ~ The forgiveness of sins granted freely (Isaiah 43:25), readily (Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:5), abundantly (Isaiah 55:7; Romans 5:20). Pardon is an act of a sovereign, in pure sovereignty, granting simply a remission of the penalty due to sin, but securing neither honour nor reward to the pardoned. Justification (q.v.), on the other hand, is the act of a judge, and not of a sovereign, and includes pardon and, at the same time, a title to all the rewards and blessings promised in the covenant of life

A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity.
(1.) In Colossians 1:21, 22 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to Him His full confidence and love. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 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., the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity.

(2.) Romans 5:10 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., refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God Himself, as the party reconciled. Romans 5:11, And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement, teaches the same truth. From God we have received "the reconciliation" (R.V.), i.e., He has conferred on us the token of His friendship. So also 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19, 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, speaks of a reconciliation originating with God, and consisting in the removal of His merited wrath. In Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:, it is clear that the apostle does not refer to the winning back of the sinner in love and loyalty to God, but to the restoration of God's forfeited favour. This is effected by His justice being satisfied, so that He can, in consistency with His own nature, be favourable toward sinners. Justice demands the punishment of sinners. The death of Christ satisfies justice, and so reconciles God to us. This reconciliation makes God our friend, and enables Him to pardon and save us.

God's Blessings to each of you,

LJG/rECj

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

THINK ON THIS:

November 12 1556 - Dutch Anabaptist reformer Menno Simons wrote in a letter: 'I can neither teach nor live by the faith of others. I must live by my own faith as the Spirit of the Lord has taught me through His Word.'

Source: Today in Chritian History