RECONCILED FULLY!

Monday, October 8, 2018

RECONCILED FULLY!

Col 1:19-22

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

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.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

           The Greek word used twice here is apokatallasso which means “to reconcile fully.” It also helps to define our English word since the word reconcile seems to be fading from us. Generally, the word “reconcile” and “reconciliation” means “to settle one's differences, make (one's) peace, make up, kiss and make up, bury the hatchet, declare a truce!” This is what God has done with and for us through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus.

           I’ve known parents and other “enablers” who try to reconcile others by paying their debts and repairing the damage done by them. This is not the true meaning of reconciliation. Reconciliation happens not only when the debt is paid but when the debtor is CHANGED. I can’t change the nature of a thief simply by repaying what he has stolen. That kind of change takes place internally.

           Jesus first paid our debt “in the body of his flesh through death” and then began a lifelong program of change through the working of the Holy Spirit. The ultimate goal is “to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.”

Dear Jesus, thank you for doing what I never could have done on my own! AMEN