Bible Study Reconciliation = Peace

[Malachi]

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.(Eph 2:13-18).

Humans: Enemies of God
All human beings who are not children of God are enemies of God from birth, whether they know it or not. And until and unless this enmity is brought to an end, they cannot have either true peace or true fellowship with God. This enmity between God and man began in the Garden of Eden when the first human couple deliberately disobeyed God. All human beings are therefore naturally sinful and naturally self-centered (Romans 5:12). This is evident in babies and young children. All are therefore born with “carnal” minds (minds working through the “flesh” or sinful nature within), and carnal minds are at enmity with God.

Therefore Scripture says (Romans 8:6-8)“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Carnal minds also love the world (worldly things) therefore they are further enemies of God: “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

Man’s Biggest Problem: Sin
The biggest problem every human being faces is this wall between himself and God. If it remains throughout life and that person dies, it will lead to eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). One cannot talk to God, or fellowship with God, or truly worship God unless this enmity is broken. And the only one who could break the enmity and restore peace between God and men was the Man Christ Jesus.

God’s Only Solution: Reconciliation
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God from eternity (1 Peter 1:18-20). When He shed His own blood for the sins of the world, He paid the full price for the redemption of humanity. He “took away the sin of the world” by the offering up of Himself (Ephesians 2:13). This sin was the barrier between God and men, but it was totally destroyed at the Cross. Therefore God could reconcile sinners unto Himself. Thus we read (2 Corinthians 5:19) “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

What exactly is “reconciliation”? It is the Greek word katallage (kat-al-ag-ay) which means “restoration to the Divine favor”. This means that instead of enmity there is peace with God. Instead of a partition between God and man, there is no partition at all. And once there is peace with God, one can have the peace of God ruling in the heart. That means that man can also be at peace with man, and with his enemies.

Repentance: Necessary for Reconciliation
Repentance is not merely a change of mind about God and about sin. It is a change of attitude to God and to sin. It is a complete repudiation of sinful living and idols in one’s life. It is a turning away from sins and idols, and a turning to God and Christ by faith (Acts 3:19). It means receiving Christ as both Lord and Savior (John 1:12,13; Rom 10:8-13). Those who repent are reconciled to God, have peace with God, and have access to God the Father through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18).

 

[Willie T]

Are any of your children who disobey and often forget or ignore your instructions to them, "your enemies?"

 

[Chopper]

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.(Eph 2:13-18).

Humans: Enemies of God
All human beings who are not children of God are enemies of God from birth, whether they know it or not. And until and unless this enmity is brought to an end, they cannot have either true peace or true fellowship with God. This enmity between God and man began in the Garden of Eden when the first human couple deliberately disobeyed God. All human beings are therefore naturally sinful and naturally self-centered (Romans 5:12). This is evident in babies and young children. All are therefore born with “carnal” minds (minds working through the “flesh” or sinful nature within), and carnal minds are at enmity with God.

Therefore Scripture says (Romans 8:6-8)“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Carnal minds also love the world (worldly things) therefore they are further enemies of God: “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

Man’s Biggest Problem: Sin
The biggest problem every human being faces is this wall between himself and God. If it remains throughout life and that person dies, it will lead to eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). One cannot talk to God, or fellowship with God, or truly worship God unless this enmity is broken. And the only one who could break the enmity and restore peace between God and men was the Man Christ Jesus.

God’s Only Solution: Reconciliation
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God from eternity (1 Peter 1:18-20). When He shed His own blood for the sins of the world, He paid the full price for the redemption of humanity. He “took away the sin of the world” by the offering up of Himself (Ephesians 2:13). This sin was the barrier between God and men, but it was totally destroyed at the Cross. Therefore God could reconcile sinners unto Himself. Thus we read (2 Corinthians 5:19) “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

What exactly is “reconciliation”? It is the Greek word katallage (kat-al-ag-ay) which means “restoration to the Divine favor”. This means that instead of enmity there is peace with God. Instead of a partition between God and man, there is no partition at all. And once there is peace with God, one can have the peace of God ruling in the heart. That means that man can also be at peace with man, and with his enemies.

Repentance: Necessary for Reconciliation
Repentance is not merely a change of mind about God and about sin. It is a change of attitude to God and to sin. It is a complete repudiation of sinful living and idols in one’s life. It is a turning away from sins and idols, and a turning to God and Christ by faith (Acts 3:19). It means receiving Christ as both Lord and Savior (John 1:12,13; Rom 10:8-13). Those who repent are reconciled to God, have peace with God, and have access to God the Father through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18).

I appreciate the reminder that you have posted here my friend Malachi. I know all about the need for the lost to turn to Jesus for Salvation, and if they don't, they will die in their sins with no chance for Salvation....Now, here comes a question that my Unitarian brethren come up with concerning 2 Corinthians 5:19.

2Corinthians 5:19 "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

Now, the Unitarians have built a lot of their theology on this one verse. They say, See? God reconciled the WORLD, everyone on earth, and did not hold them accountable of their sins....For this doctrine, they view the word "imputing" as their proof text.

In 2 Cor. the word impute means "something said" includes thought. Strongs G3090.
In Ro. 5:13 the word impute means "put on account" or to record. Strongs G1677.

So, I'm wondering how you would refute their theology of "universal salvation" using the word impute, meaning that when Jesus died on the cross, God ceased holding men accountable for their sins because He reconciled the "world" to Himself.

Anyone want to tackle this one??

 

[Malachi]

So, I'm wondering how you would refute their theology of "universal salvation" using the word impute, meaning that when Jesus died on the cross, God ceased holding men accountable for their sins because He reconciled the "world" to Himself.

Chopper,
Thanks for the appreciation and the question. On the face of it this verse appears to agree with Universalism (a false doctrine). But that can be refuted. In a quarrel there is enmity on both sides. The same thing applies to the enmity between God and man. Because of sin and disobedience, the enmity was real and remained real ON BOTH SIDES until Christ took the full penalty for sin upon Himself at the Cross, and "the chastisement of our peace" was laid on Him.

Now the ENMITY HAS BEEN CANCELLED ON GOD'S SIDE but it remains on the unregenerate sinner's side. And because sinners remain enemies of God, they must repent and be converted (Acts 3:19). It is only then that their personal sins are blotted out, and they have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1).

God did not "cease holding men accountable". God did remove the barrier which prevented direct access to Him by reconciling the world unto Himself.