The Cross Brings Reconciliation and Justification

Scriptures: Ro 4:25; 5:10 See also Ro 5:8-9; 1Co 15:3-4; Eph 2:16; Col 1:20-221

I. The Power of Reconciliation through Christ

(Romans 4:25, 5:10; Eph 2: 16; Col 1:20-22)

"Christ died for us, while we were yet sinners, demonstrating God's love toward us. Through His death and resurrection, we are offered reconciliation with God" (Romans 5:8-10). Easter is a celebration of the ultimate act of love and reconciliation. Christ's sacrifice on the cross removed the barriers between humanity and God, inviting us to enter into a renewed relationship with our Creator. This reconciliation is not just a theological concept; it's a call to action. It compels us to view our relationships and conflicts through the lens of Christ's love and forgiveness. As we reflect on the meaning of Easter, let us also commit to being ambassadors of reconciliation in our families, communities, and the world.

* The practice of resolving differences or arguments. This pertains especially to mending broken social relationships.

* NT usage.—In the last case, Mt 5:24, the word is not used in a doctrinal sense, though its use is very helpful in considering the force of the other terms.

* The whole statement shows that it is not a question of the one who is offering the gift laying aside his enmity against his brother, but the reverse.

* Plainly it means that he should do something to remove his brother’s displeasure and bring reconciliation.

* All the other instances are in Paul’s Epp. (Rom 5:10; 1 Cor 7:11; 2 Cor 5:18–20, the vb.; Rom 5:11; 11:15; 2 Cor 5:18, 19, the noun; Eph 2:16; Col 1:22, the compound)

* The word “reconcile” has a double meaning and usage, and the context must determine how it is to be used in each case.

* The word “to reconcile” means literally to exchange, to bring into a changed relationship. Some maintain that it is only a change in the sinner that is intended, a laying aside of his enmity and coming into peaceful relations with God.

The first step toward reconciliation with others is getting right with God.

Warren W. Wiersbe

* The great doctrine is the reconciliation of God and men. Still, the question to be decided is whether God is reconciled to men or men who are reconciled to God, and different schools of theology emphasize one side or the other.

* The OT usage does not materially help in the elucidation of the NT Terms,

* The making atonement or propitiation is the basis of the reconciliation.

* Reconciliation, Godward, as well as manward.

* Reconciliation takes effect upon enemies. The meaning of the word “enemies”: The word “enemies” is important. The passive meaning, “hatred of God,”

* Therefore, this propitiation removed the barrier, and God, having assumed a gracious attitude toward the sinner, now makes it possible for the sinner, influenced by His love, to come into a friendly relationship with God.

* The reconciliation becomes mutual, for there is no kind of doubt that sinners are enemies to God in the active sense and require to lay aside their hostility and so be reconciled to Him. But the first step is with God, and the reconciliation that took place in the death of His Son could only be the Godward reconciliation since, at that time, men were still uninfluenced by His love.

* 2 Cor 5:18-20 “All things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation.”

* God, in a word, enters into gracious relations with a world of sinners, becomes reconciled to man

* “We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.”

* In Col 1:20, “And through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth or things in the heavens.”

* Reconciling all things unto Himself is not laying aside creaturely hostility but determining the Divine attitude.

II. Justification: The Gift of Righteousness

(Romans 5:8-9; 1 Co 15:3-4)

"The heart of the Easter message is justification by faith. We are declared righteous before God not because of our efforts, but because of our faith in Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1; 3:28). This profound truth liberates us from the burden of trying to earn God's approval through our imperfect attempts at righteousness. It's a reminder that salvation and acceptance by God are gifts made possible by Christ's resurrection. Easter invites us to live in the freedom and joy of being justified by faith, transforming our lives and empowering us to extend grace to others.

This Easter, as we celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection, let us immerse ourselves in the powerful realities of reconciliation and justification. May these truths rekindle our passion for living out the gospel, carrying the message of Easter into every aspect of our lives.

* Justification delivers from “the wrath of God”

* The process by which people are made righteous in the sight of God.

* Justification is the biblical teaching about how believers are declared to be right before God even though they are not actually righteous in themselves.

* “Justification by faith” was part of a common tradition in Jewish Christianity to which Paul and the other apostles subscribed (see Gal 2:15; 1 Cor 15:11)

* On the other hand, Paul’s teaching on this area was contested by Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentiles should be circumcised and forced to obey the law as part of their salvation and as a basis for fellowship (see Acts 15:1–5; Gal 2:1–14).

* For Paul, justification by faith was his primary argument for God’s acceptance of Gentiles as Gentiles, without having to first convert to Judaism and take on law observances.

Justification by faith is the hinge on which all true religion turns.

John Calvin

* Paul was asserting that the law is not a means of justification because

1. the law can only point out sin but never set people free from sin (see Rom 3:20; Gal 2:21; 3:21) and

2. justification by works of the law would mean that God has limited His grace to only one people (Rom 3:30).

*   In summary, Pauline teaching on justification by faith has several discernible characteristics:

1. Justification is eschatological - verdict of acquittal and being declared righteous in advance of the final judgment

2. Justification is forensic-declared to be just and by faith alone.

3. Justification is covenantal - what counts is grace,e, and neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters, only the new creation (Gal 6:15)

4. Justification is transformative -The Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers to conform them to the image of God’s Son so that at the final judgment, they will be proven to have lived in accordance with the grace given to them in Christ (see 1 Cor 6:11; Rom 8:4).

III. Conclusion: 

The five elements that fulfill the salvation prophecy are: birth, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. We not only have been made right with God but we are adopted into the family of God. While we were enemies of God, we were destined for condemnation and judgment but as we are shown His Love through the saving grace of His Son, Jesus Christ, we stand right before Him as the ready stance. Choose Christ today and serve Him for the remaining of your days on earth.