Reconciliation

To reconcile means “to receive one with favor”. It comes from a Greek word meaning “to exchange one thing for another” or “to transform.” This is important for understanding what the Bible says about reconciliation. 

The bottom line is, we have been reconciled to God. Romans 5:10 tells us, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” Paul is saying a few things in this passage. 

• We were enemies of God before we were reconciled. 
• Reconciliation is made possible by the death of Jesus
• After we have been reconciled we receive salvation because Jesus resurrected

So what does it mean to be reconciled to God? It means that we have been brought back into a relationship with God that is favorable. How does one obtain reconciliation? How can we be reconciled? It is important to note that God is the one who does the healing and reconciliation. We cannot reconcile ourselves to God, he is the one who brings us to him. 

In 2 Corinthians 5:21 Paul has just told his readers to be reconciled to God. Then he gives them this instruction, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” There was an exchange going on at the cross. Our sin was being taken away in exchange for a perfect sacrifice. A sacrifice only Jesus could make. 

After Jesus had died and taken on our sin, we were able to be reconciled to him when we place our faith in Jesus. Then we are made right with God. All of this is made possible by Jesus’ death and is proven in his resurrection. When we place our faith in Jesus, we are brought back to God to enter a beautiful relationship that lasts for eternity.