Reconcilation


"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 Col. 1:21, 22, 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 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the "Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their" enmity. "(2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition "toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconciled. Romans" "5:11 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 Cor. 5:18, 19 speaks of a" "reconciliation originating with God, and consisting in the" removal of his merited wrath. In Eph. 2:16 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. (See [523]ATONEMENT.)


See where Reconcilation occurs in the Bible...