Question 1

What does being reconciled to God mean?

Accepted Answer

Romans 5:10Since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.2 Corinthians 5:18-21God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.Ephesians 2:13Now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.Being reconciled with God means being his dearly loved child, born again and adopted. The Bible also says we are his friends. Every person is born with a sinful nature and is separated from God. To end this separation and have a personal relationship with God, we must be reconciled to him. This begins with believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross for us, to pay the penalty for our sin. When we believe that and trust in Christ alone as our Savior, we are reconciled to God and have a relationship with him. This is the greatest gift ever offered—and the only way to be reconciled to God.Colossians 2:14He [God] canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.Being reconciled to God means that we are forgiven by God.Colossians 1:22Now he [God] has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.Being reconciled to God means that we can confidently enter God’s presence, that we can have an audience with the King of the universe at any time, regardless of our past.Romans 5:1-2Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.Being reconciled to God means that we will have a glorious future after death.

Question 2

What does Scripture say about reconciliation between people?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 5:23-24“If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”Being reconciled with other people is important to God because it demonstrates a humble and forgiving spirit, which is essential to healthy relationships.Matthew 5:25-26“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.”Working for reconciliation with others is important to our own health and peace of mind.Matthew 18:15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”Resolving our differences with others promotes unity.Ephesians 2:14Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.Through Christ, God has made a way for groups who are opposed to one another to make peace and be fully reconciled.Ephesians 1:10At the right time he [God] will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.A feature of Christ’s kingdom will be reconciliation and peace among and between all people.Genesis 33:8“And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?” Esau asked. Jacob replied, “They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship.”Proverbs 19:6Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts!Proverbs 21:14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.Giving appropriate gifts may help in the reconciliation process.

Question 3

How might I mend a broken relationship with a friend?

Accepted Answer

Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.Philemon 1:10-12I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.Healing a broken relationship with a friend requires the decision to forgive and show mercy.Proverbs 18:19An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.Luke 15:18“‘I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you.”’”Healing a broken relationship with a friend can begin with a simple apology. “I’m sorry” are two very important words. Forgiveness is both a decision and a process. When we have hurt someone, we should apologize as quickly as possible and make any needed restitution. Forgiveness is powerful because it frees both parties from bitterness.

Reconciliation