THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024
HE HAS RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF – Pastor Chris
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 reconcilation (2 Corinthians 5:19).
Jesus came to reconcile the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses against them. It reminds of what the Bible says in Colossians 1:21-22, “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (NKJV).
Christ Jesus initiated and established peace between God and man through His death on the cross. Man had become alienated from the life of God through Adam’s disobedience, but Jesus reconciled us with the Father in the body of His flesh through death, to present us holy, blameless and above reproach before the Father.
Now, who is Jesus, and why was He able to achieve this for man? Was He just a good man? No; otherwise, He wouldn’t have qualified to die for us because the Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The blood of the ordinary man wouldn’t qualify for our redemption. But the blood of Jesus was divine, being God in the flesh. He was sinless.
The Bible says, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39). Notice that the Scriptures didn’t say “shall be justified”; it’s not a promise. All who believe are justified.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ by which you were recreated with a new life of righteousness qualified you to live in the presence of God without guilt or condemnation; you’re free from all accusations, being justified by His grace. This is the Gospel!
The reason you’re holy, blameless and justified before the Father isn’t because of what you did or didn’t do; it’s the result of what Jesus did and who He is. Now you have received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!
PRAYERDear Father, I thank you for the resurrection of Jesus Christ by which I’ve been justified by faith. Now, I’m holy, blameless and above reproach in your sight. Thank you for this amazing blessing, love and grace, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 5:10
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Ephesians 2:13-16
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; 15 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; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Colossians 1:20
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 13:1-23 & Genesis 42-43
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 10:9-20 & Job 7-8
