Robert Pate
Member
In the Gospel we have ALREADY been reconciled unto God by Jesus Christ, this is a past historical event. We are not being reconciled unto God as though it were something that we can accomplish through our good works or our obedience to the law. We have not been predestinated to be reconciled unto God, that would not really be a reconciliation that would be an imposition on God's part. God would be forcing you to be reconciled unto himself. God did not create mindless robots.
Paul speaks of our reconciliation in the past tense as though it had already happened, "And all things are of God. who "HAS" (past tense) reconciled us (humanity) to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given unto us the ministry of reconciliation" 2 Corinthians 5:18.
The word "reconciliation" implies that we were at one time enemies of God. Did the fact that we were enemies with God effect our reconciliation? Not a bit. God still reconciled us unto himself, "And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet has he now reconciled in the body of his flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight" Colossians 1:21-22. This offer of reconciliation must be received by faith as a free gift from God or it is not ours.
God is at peace with humanity because he has reconciled all of humanity unto himself by Jesus Christ. God sees all of humanity as perfect and complete in his Son Jesus Christ, Colossians 2:10. We are not being saved. We have already been saved. Of course we know that not all want to be saved by Jesus Christ, these are the lost. Many of the lost are lost because they want to save themselves through religion. They have not accepted God's offer of reconciliation. They are trying to earn or merit salvation. God is not taking anyone to heaven that has reject his offer of reconciliation.
This reconciliation that has been provided for us by Jesus Christ is God's great free gift of salvation, Ephesians 2:8. A gift can only be accepted or refused. It cannot be earned or deserved, nor can it be imposed upon you (Calvinism) otherwise it is not a free gift. God in his great love for humanity has done all that he can do to save and reconcile fallen humanity. Sin, death and the devil have been overcome and defeated, Colossians 2:15. He has forgiven us all of our sins and now stands before us with open arms to accept his great free offer of reconciliation. Paul said, "We pray you in Christ stead be reconciled unto God" We are reconciled unto God when we accept what Christ has done for us that reconciled us unto God. God has done his part. He now waits for us to do our part, which is to accept his offer of reconciliation.
Paul speaks of our reconciliation in the past tense as though it had already happened, "And all things are of God. who "HAS" (past tense) reconciled us (humanity) to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given unto us the ministry of reconciliation" 2 Corinthians 5:18.
The word "reconciliation" implies that we were at one time enemies of God. Did the fact that we were enemies with God effect our reconciliation? Not a bit. God still reconciled us unto himself, "And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet has he now reconciled in the body of his flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight" Colossians 1:21-22. This offer of reconciliation must be received by faith as a free gift from God or it is not ours.
God is at peace with humanity because he has reconciled all of humanity unto himself by Jesus Christ. God sees all of humanity as perfect and complete in his Son Jesus Christ, Colossians 2:10. We are not being saved. We have already been saved. Of course we know that not all want to be saved by Jesus Christ, these are the lost. Many of the lost are lost because they want to save themselves through religion. They have not accepted God's offer of reconciliation. They are trying to earn or merit salvation. God is not taking anyone to heaven that has reject his offer of reconciliation.
This reconciliation that has been provided for us by Jesus Christ is God's great free gift of salvation, Ephesians 2:8. A gift can only be accepted or refused. It cannot be earned or deserved, nor can it be imposed upon you (Calvinism) otherwise it is not a free gift. God in his great love for humanity has done all that he can do to save and reconcile fallen humanity. Sin, death and the devil have been overcome and defeated, Colossians 2:15. He has forgiven us all of our sins and now stands before us with open arms to accept his great free offer of reconciliation. Paul said, "We pray you in Christ stead be reconciled unto God" We are reconciled unto God when we accept what Christ has done for us that reconciled us unto God. God has done his part. He now waits for us to do our part, which is to accept his offer of reconciliation.