But now he has reconciled you [to God] by Christ’s physical body through death …
Summary: The means of reconciliation is not an intellectual exercise. Rather, it is an act of love so profound that it blinds us to anything else.
Have you ever found yourself amid a theological struggle? Theology, defined as the study of God (from ‘theos,’ meaning God, and ‘logos,’ meaning word), is meant to deepen our understanding of the divine. However, it can shift our focus to abstract ideas about God rather than fostering a genuine relationship with Him. This can lead to confusion and frustration, as we grapple with complex doctrines instead of seeking to truly know God.
When we try to describe God with words, we are up against an impossible task. In the first place, no one has ever seen God except for Jesus (John 1:18, 6:46). In the second place, God is way smarter than we are (Isaiah 55:9). Asking anyone except Jesus to explain God is a bit like asking a four-year-old to explain calculus. The answer might be entertaining, but you won’t walk away with any useful information.
And so we come to Paul’s letter and his statement about Christ’s physical body and why he had to die. Is this theology?
Technically, no.
Simply put, Paul is a messenger. He is sharing information given to him directly by Jesus. Because Jesus has already ascended into heaven, he has to communicate with Paul differently than he did to his disciples when he was on earth. He gets his message to Paul through “revelation” (Galatians 1:11-12).
Before Paul became an Apostle of Jesus Christ, he was a student of Gamaliel. He was in training as a Pharisee, meaning he was a member of a Jewish sect that held itself to the strictest standards of the Mosaic law. Before meeting Jesus personally, Paul could only study about God. I think it is fair to say that his studies qualified as theology. The Jews of Jesus’ day had lots of ideas about God, but they were so obsessed with their studies that they didn’t recognize God when he came in the flesh.
When Paul met Jesus, his “theology” was shattered. Meeting the Son of God left him stunned. He was instantly transformed from an enemy of Jesus to a devoted apostle.
What changed?
Did Jesus sit down with Paul and reason with him, trying to convince him to accept the facts?
No.
Paul was confronted by the living Lord (Acts 9:1-6). We don’t know what happened at that moment, but he was definitely touched by God. We also know his heart was changed. And isn’t that what we are all hoping for, that God will touch our hearts?
Application: Lean into Jesus with your heart.
Food for Thought: How does being reconciled to God affect our hearts?
Be reconciled to God should involve total transformation. We are no longer the same as before, we are a new person from a spiritual perspective. We also have a new purpose in life given to us by our King for whom we are now ambassadors.
2 Corinthians 5: 14 – 20: For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: a The old has gone, the new is here! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God
Thank you, Rich!
I like the phrase “ministry of reconciliation” in the passage you quoted. That is really what it is all about — letting people know that we can be reconciled with our Creator.
We are free from condemnation. Given that I felt condemned most of my life prior to Christ, this brings me great joy and gratitude.
Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
We are capable of knowing true love. I feel the capacity to love and be loved. Both are important. For a long time I lacked the ability to do either in a measure worthy of true love.
Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Love lives and grows within us. My perceptive has changed about the world. I look at people more in compassion. It is more than “empathy for someone else’s misfortune.” It is looking at others as a fellow creation of God. Individually designed for a purpose and loved by God.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.
Well said, Chris!!
I can relate to all of the points you made.
Have a blessed day !
Please get out and Vote also Knock on your neighbor’s door and kindly ask them to Vote !
WKU
Good advice! 🙂 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
How does being reconciled to God affect our hearts?
Reconciliation is a central theme in our Bibles which speaks to restoring broken relationships, both between God and humans, and between people, and could be described as the process of overcoming hostilities and mending damaged relationships as harmony and unity are reestablished.
Reconciliation is at the core of Christianity. The Bible teaches that God reconciled the world to Himself through Jesus Christ. In Christianity, reconciliation is not just a one-time action but a lifelong process that begins with repentance and faith in Jesus. Reconciliation involves forgiveness, healing, and restoration.
Romans 5:10-11, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Ephesians 2:14-18, Colossians 1:19-23
As Christians seeking to apply biblical principles, we are called to humbly pursue reconciliation in our own relationships by fully forgiving others, sincerely repenting of sins, and sacrificing personal interests out of love for others. This lifelong journey will be completed by God when we complete our time on earth and stand before our God.
Thanks Ron!
The journey you describe is our journey “home.” Where we love who is there and everyone loves us.
The best evangelism is exuberance, not rhetoric. It’s also great at refreshing your faith. Basque in the awe of Jesus.
Amen, Tim.
That’s because exuberance communicates directly, soul to soul.