Think about a friend with whom you have a close
relationship but do spend time together often and when you do, you pick up
conversation right where you left it off the last time you were with each other.
This is the tone of John’s first epistle. The apostle John without greeting or
introduction begins, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard,
which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have
handled, of the Word of life” (1 John 1:1).
From the outset John assumes his readers share with
him a genuine and personal relationship with Jesus Christ-- a relationship that
is only possible through reconciliation.
Webster defines reconciliation as the
restoration of a friendship after an estrangement. Theologically,
reconciliation means that though “We were once separated and estranged from God
because of our sin. He paid the ultimate sacrifice and reconciled us so that we
can now have an unencumbered (deeper)
relationship with Him.”[1]
What do the following Scriptures reveal about the
need for reconciliation?
Isaiah 59:2--
Colossians 1:21--
James 4:4--
What insights about the means of reconciliation do
you glean from the following Scriptures?
Romans 5:6-11--
1 John 4:10--
Application
When a person is reconciled with God he becomes a “new
creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) and receives a new mission as an “ambassador” (1
Corinthians 5:18-20). To whom do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to
represent Christ? What will you do in response?
Memorize This
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. HCSB
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