Faith Matters: June 3, 2009

The Bible reveals the truth that the human race became alienated from God and hostile in mind because of sin. (Colossians 1:21)

Human beings became the object of God's righteous indignation and wrath (Romans 1:18-31; 5:10; 2:8) and were placed under the sentence of death and condemnation. (Romans 3:8b-20; 5:12, 16, 18) If the world was to be reconciled to God, His wrath against sin had to be satisfied and the cause of the hostility, namely sin, had to be removed.

The good news is that God removed the barrier of sin and satisfied His wrath by executing His judgment of man's sin upon His One and Only Son.

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) The death of the Lord Jesus Christ makes it possible for the entire world to be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 John 2:2)

Reconciliation is the work of God to bring man from enmity to friendship with Him by removing the hostility through the cross. But to become effective, reconciliation must be personally received by faith. (Romans 5:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:20)

God offers reconciliation to all through "the gospel of peace," and He gave to us who have received it "the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Colossians 1:20)

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)