#DailyDevotion God & Man Is Reconciled On The Cross

2Co 5:20-6:2  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  (21)  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  (6:1)  Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.  (2)  For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Many people are often afraid to turn to the God of the bible for fear of being rejected, judged and condemned. Indeed God does judge us and condemn us because of our sin. But it is not God’s intention to reject, judge and condemn you. Just a few verses before these it is written, 2Co 5:19 “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” You see, God has reconciled himself to the world, sinful as it is, to himself in Christ Jesus. He does not count our trespasses against us. This means you. If God reconciled himself to you and isn’t holding your trespasses against you, then the only obstacle in the way your reconciliation to God is you.

But how and why did God reconcile himself you? He made Jesus, his only begotten son, to be the atoning sacrifice for your sins, trespasses, guilt and iniquity. Jesus bore your shame there on the cross. Whatever you have done, thought or said, God has nailed it to the cross in Christ Jesus. There is nothing standing in the way of you being reconciled to God. Jesus has reconciled the Father to you.

Now Paul calls for you to be reconciled to God. What does this mean? On the one hand, and most often thought that it means you believe God has done this for you. I believe this is half right. If you don’t believe God has done this for you, indeed it will not do you any good. But if God is reconciled to you and is no longer angry with you because of your sins, (now bear with me a minute) you should no longer be angry with God for the same reason, Jesus. While it is true whatever God does is good and just, he does not sin, it is also true that many of us are angry with God, for whatever has happened in our life. We may think he has been unjust, not fair and even cruel. I suggest whatever you have against God and place it on Jesus on the cross. Be reconciled to God in Jesus on the cross. There God died. The author of life and the Lord of Glory was crucified for you. Now, the righteousness of God is yours in Christ Jesus.

So don’t waste another moment being afraid of God or being angry with him. Today is the day. You have received God’s grace. Don’t let it be in vain. Let bygones be bygones and start anew with your Father in heaven. For when Christ returns, the bets are on the table. You will be set wherever you are, having reconciled yourself to God or rejecting him. Then you will get what you deserve.

Heavenly Father, grant us your grace to believe you have reconciled yourself to us and to reconcile ourselves to you so we may be united together for all eternity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.