Reconciliation - Day 1

This week we will be taking a look at the word "Reconciliation."  Reconciliation is an important word to consider because it is weaved throughout the entire Bible.  If God made sure its theme was throughout His Word, then it must be something very important to Him and we need to pause and consider it.

What does the word, "Reconciliation" mean?  The word means to make oneself or another no longer opposed; to become friendly after estrangement; to settle a quarrel or difference.  The idea is to stop the hostilities between two people and reestablish peace.

God brought reconciliation to humanity.  Paul writes, "...when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of his son..."  God went to unbelievable lengths to bring reconciliation between us and him.  Why?

First of all we are God's enemies and He wanted to change that.  According to the scriptures we are either with God or against Him.  To be with Him is to follow His leadership and His guidelines.  To be against Him is to rebel against Him, do what we want, believe what we want and live how we want.  To rebel against God is what we call sin.  For that is exactly what sin is.

Second, enemies deserve the wrath of God and He wanted to give us an alternative.  Paul writes, "for the wages (what we deserve) of sin is death."  We identified that death last week as death physically, spiritually and eternally. 

Finally, God loves us so much that He desires to give us a second chance.  An opportunity to have our sins paid for and a new life to live and look forward to. 

So HOW was He able to reconcile us? That is what we will look at tomorrow.

In closing read this passage of scripture from James 4:1-10 or click to view  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A1-10&version=NIV (Click back arrow on browser to return here)

As you read you will be reminded again that your heart needs to be submissive to the savior.

As you finish: Pray for our Adult Sunday School. Pray that God will use the teachers to teach the scriptures well.

God Bless!