RECONCILIATION

All Scripture references are to the King James

(Authorised) Version

We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

— 2 Corinthians 5: 20 —

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LIKE OTHER APOSTLES of the early Church, Paul had been given a special authority from the Lord.

As the twelfth apostle the replacement for Judas, the betrayer he became the senior spokesman for the early Church and its most prolific writer, the most cited of all the writing apostles, giving shape to New Testament theology.

All the writing apostles were Christ's copyists, though not merely through a process of supernatural dictation, for their own individual personality is evident in the disparate styles in which they expressed themselves.

After the last of the apostles (John) died, inspired utterance and writing passed away, though God continued to raise up His servants, men of intellect, talent and faith, to teach the (true and invisible) Church throughout the Gospel Age.

Paul was careful to distinguish between God-breathed utterances and writings which are infallible and his own opinions, which are not. On those occasions where Paul did state his own opinion, he made this clear. See the examples in 1 Cor. 7: v. 10, contrasted with v. 12; and v. 25, contrasted with v. 40.

This is a valuable lesson from the chief apostle for we lesser mortals who attempt to preach the Word of God to others: we must be brave in our declaration of truth against error, but yet not be dogmatic beyond the authority of Scripture.

Not having the spirit-filled insight with which Paul and the other apostles were blessed, our own utterances may often be misguided, confused, or self-serving.

Nor may we deploy Scripture texts as bludgeons to beat other minds into submission.

It serves God's interest in this present world to allow differences of opinion to flourish, uniformity of understanding in matters religious or secular being inimical to the experience with sin which He has ordained, to the ultimate benefit of humanity.

In Rom. 8:1 Paul writes, ʻThere is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’

What a splendid consolation this is! Our sins ought not to keep us from approaching God. Rather, being forgiven of them draws us to Him in gratitude.

Now having been reconciled to the Father by the Son we are, in turn, charged with making known to others this hopeful message. Those who have been justified by faith and cleansed from the condemnation of sin are eager to pass on the saving news of the Gospel to anyone who will listen.

ʻBe ye reconciled to God’

Jesus alone is the great Reconciler, having given Himself as a ransom-sacrifice on the cross, opening up an avenue of faith by which the sinner may approach the Father. Christ positions Himself between the Sinner and the Sinless God. In this way He is an advocate for the believer before God's throne of justice.

By contrast, in the kingdom of God on earth the future Millennial Age Christ will function as a mediator, reconciling two opposing parties God on the one side, humanity on the other.

This is an important distinction, and underscores that there are two periods during which the message of reconciliation is preached: firstly to the believers, in this time when sin is in the ascendancy that is, to who are repentant sinners, justified by faith. Secondly, to the unbelieving world of mankind, who will then be resurrected and offered eternal life on earth, subject to their faith and obedience.

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Jan.-Feb. 2017

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