3 Bible Tips: Reconciliation
Humanity has been estranged from our Creator and from each other by wrong choices and sins. God's way is a way of bringing us back together—of reconciling us to Him and each other.
1. Jesus Christ's sacrifice made it possible for alienated enemies to be restored to a good relationship with God.
"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled" (Colossians 1:19-21).
2. Jesus Christ wants us to seek reconciliation with each other.
"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24).
3. The Church of God has been given the ministry and message of reconciliation—of restoring the relationships between God and people.
"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
For more about reconciliation, see "A Framework for Reconciliation."