Be reconciled to God

For us to enter into the fullness of life that God desires for us – in harmonious relationship with him – we need to hear his call. This call comes to us through the biblical appeal: “be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5.20).

Friends who are already in agreement with each other do not need to be reconciled; it is enemies who need to be brought together! This call therefore takes as given that there is enmity between God and us, the human beings he calls. This is indeed the situation – whether our attitude towards God is one of quiet indifference to what he wants of us, or one of open rebellion against all he stands for. Either way, we are sinners in his eyes – and yet he calls us! He desires us to be reconciled to him.

It is true that on his side, there is displeasure as he views our life-style of careless disobedience. This means we cannot experience the warmth of his approval, but rather may rightly fear his ultimate judgment.

That’s why it is so wonderful that God, full of love, takes the initiative in reconciliation: He took a giant step towards us in sending his dear Son: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself” (2 Corinthians 5.19). He thus showed his love – “not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4.10). It was not that we were so good that God is pleased to welcome us; rather “it was while we were yet sinners” that “Christ died for us”. Only on that basis can we be forgiven and accepted into a warm relationship with God. So the first step towards reconciliation with God happened twenty centuries ago!

Now we are called to respond: “be reconciled to God”. This involves two things. First, we turn to God with gratitude that through the death of Christ all our sins and evil deeds may be totally wiped away, cleansed and forgiven, and God’s loving arms may embrace us. We thank Him for such mercy and pardon, purchased for us at the cost of the cross, where Christ’s love was shown as he gave himself in our place.

Secondly, to be reconciled to God, we have to give up our rebellion – be it tacit or open – and embrace our Saviour as the Lord who we will henceforth seek to please. It is this repentant submission to Christ as our Lord, and trust in him as our Saviour, that effectively reconciles us to God. And that is what introduces us into a good relationship with God.

This new relationship with a loving heavenly Father will develop as we grow in faith and obedience. To commit our lives to Christ is only the beginning; but there must be that first commitment – hence the call: “Be reconciled to God”.

Once you have made that commitment – to the risen Lord Jesus Christ himself, in prayer – you can share the believer’s faith expressed in Romans 5.10: “When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son” – and “now having been reconciled, we shall be saved” – saved from the punishment that our sins deserved, through Christ having washed them all away. 

Then you can also take part in the believer’s mission: God “reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” … so “like ambassadors for Christ”, we call out to others: “Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5.18-20).

Clive Every-Clayton