You cannot fully appreciate Christ or what Christ accomplished for YOU if you do not understand all the issues that were involved in your salvation.
Reconciliation: to adjust something or someone to a specific standard.
As used in the New Testament, man’s position is described as “at enmity” (Ephesians 2:12-16) with God, viewed as out of harmony with God. Reconciliation is the removal, by God, of the barrier (sin) between God and man – making peace possible between God and man.
Since the cross, the only barrier between God and Man is Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; John 3:18,36). He is the door, and we enter into salvation through Him and Him alone, “By ME if any man enter in, he shall be saved.”
In theological terms, redemption is sin-ward, propitiation is God-ward, reconciliation is man-ward (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20,21). Here is a good way to look at the doctrine of reconciliation: God the Father planned (designed) it; God the Son accomplished it; God the Holy Spirit reveals it. Man simply receives it by faith.
In Romans 3:23, Paul argues the existence of man’s sinful condition (sin nature): “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All humanity are sinful. This verse also points to the nature of sin – falling short of a standard – God’s standard. From this statement we also learn that we fall short of God’s glory. So, what is meant by God’s glory? God’s Glory is His very essence – His character – His holiness.
The purpose of this study of Soteriology is to clarify the work of Christ on the cross. Again, as stated above: We cannot fully appreciate Christ or what Christ accomplished for us if we do not understand all the issues that were involved in our salvation. You must be able to explain why you are saved and how you are saved in order to fulfill accurately your ambassadorship. This is why God left you on earth, after you were saved – you literally represent Christ in His absence.
Many believers need to get serious about Christ and their Christian responsibilities. Every believer has the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Every believer is in full-time Christian service – every day!
Just as Christ represents every believer at the right hand of the Father, so every believer represents the Son of God here on earth.
We are saved, and called to be a witness, a priest, and ambassador for Christ. In order to represent Christ effectively, the believer must be watered by the fountain-word of God (Bible) and filling ministry of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 58:11; John 4:14).
The believer, after salvation, literally becomes a missionary from Heaven, representing Christ here on Earth: “our citizenship is in Heaven” (Ephesians 2:19).
RECONCILIATION AND THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
“The blood of Christ” is a synonym for the saving work of Christ on the cross (His spiritual death), which is the basis for reconciliation (Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20). Leviticus Chapter 7:11-38 and 8:15 depicts Christ’s removing of the barrier between God and man, which is the very definition of reconciliation in this instance.
The need for man’s reconciliation is proclaimed throughout the Bible. We are born separated from God because of Adam’s original transgression.
The Mechanics of Reconciliation: The Removal of the Barrier
- Point One: Sin is removed by unlimited atonement (unlimited atonement means Christ died for all sins of all men once and for all time): (2 Corinthians 5:14,15,19; 1 Timothy 2:6; 4:10; Titus 2:11; Hebrew 2:9; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 2:2).
- Point Two: Penalty of sin removed by expiation, which is the atoning cross-work of Christ (Psalm 22:1-6; Colossians 2:14).
- Point Three: Our physical birth (“in sin” as Adam’s descendants) necessitates our regeneration, this is why Christ came (Matthew 18:11), to save us from God’s wrath (John 3:1-18; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23). There are many facets to our salvation, which is the purpose of our study of Soteriology. For example: There were certain qualifications for one to be the Savior of mankind. When you understand the impossibility of these qualifications, you can only come to one conclusion: we are dead in trespasses and sin. Dead people cannot help themselves.
God had a plan! God has always had a plan. God’s grace plan is entitled, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our substitution, approved by God the Father (Mark 1:11; reference Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 8:10; Matthew 18:20-25; Luke 1:26-35).
You will be tremendously impacted by what Christ accomplished on the cross for all humanity and especially you – if you will look up all Scripture references in this study. Will you?
Now, lets bring it all together: The Doctrines of Reconciliation, Imputation, Propitiation and Justification all speak of our positional sanctification. As believers, we are now positioned in Christ forever, and nothing can remove us from our position in Christ (Romans 8:38,39).
Please take all the time you need and read and meditate on Romans chapters 8-10 in their entirety.
Remember too, only God could remove us from our position in Adam, and He did through the cross of Christ. God has provided our escape from the slave market of bondage in sin (via redemption), and given us Christ our Great Shepherd to serve in the freedom of love.
In Adam all die. In Christ all live.
Please Note: For exact definitions of the terms of our Salvation, please go to the TERMS AND DEFINITIONS link.
There are hundreds of terms defined under this title that every Christian should know, understand, and be able to define. Biblical Terms & Definitions should be taught – they are not to be withheld from the congregation. Unfortunately many pastors cannot be convinced to feed the sheep the MEAT of the Word, as is their mandate from God. Instead, they indulge in continuous preaching, which is MILK.
Can you imagine the gall of any pastor who refuses a mandate (a direct order) from God Himself? Something to think about, indeed.
As already mentioned several time in Part One and here in Part Two of our study: God’s purpose for leaving the believer here on earth after salvation is to glorify God by witnessing to the world. We are left here to serve Christ our King, our Savior, our Lord, our Redeemer. We are to be occupied with planting seeds of salvation in our everyday lives.
Since the cross, the only barrier between God and humanity is Christ. No one comes to the Father except through His Son (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). But that barrier is now a doorway – a doorway anyone is welcome to walk through at any time before death. If you haven’t already done so… walk through, won’t you?
All that Christ has done and is doing will be fully understood in the hereafter (John 13:7).
Next is Part Three – Soteriology – Justification.