Devotional - 99-06-08 - R1: Reconciliation

The Holy Alphabet Series

Colossians 1:19, 20 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross..

"Reconciliation is that grace whereby we are freed from Gods curse, and restored to his fatherly favor, Romans 3:10, 2 Corinthians 5:8,9, Ephesians 2:6, Colossians 2:21" Robert Port.

Over the last few years many churches, especially inner city churches, have been emphasizing the importance of racial reconciliation. These programs have mostly focused on the segregation that seems implicit in the church today. Whites and blacks, for example, usually worship in mostly white and black churches and the Sunday morning hour of worship is now the most segregated hour of the week.

This has rightly been identified as something that needs to be addressed and many churches are doing just that. But there can be no racial reconciliation until there is a heavenly reconciliation between God and man. Any program that seeks to address the need for racial reconciliation must, as a central element of that attempt, address the need for God and man to be reconciled.

When our soul is reconciled to God, God says, "Soul, I am your friend. I am at peace with you. The fire of hell no longer burns in you. From now on you may have fellowship with me. You may become acquainted with me and find rest in my presence." When this reconciliation takes place, then we understand reconciliation and we can seek reconciliation with those around us. Without the peace of God in our hearts and this true understanding of reconciliation, we can expect none in our relationships either.

Christ offers us peace eventhough we have offended Him by our sin. Once reconciled to God, we also may offer peace to those around us. May the Lord grant us that reconciliation with God and in our earthly relationships.

There is a story of a boy who had offended his father and came to him, saying, "Papa, I cannot learn my lesson unless you are reconciled. I am sorry I have offended you, and hope I shall never do so again. I hope that you will forgive me." To which his father replied with a kiss to make it clear that the reconciliation had been accepted. "Now," said the boy, "I can learn my Latin and Greek." (Where are such kids today?)

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

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