Soteriology : Conversion - 6. Reconciliation.

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Reconciliation: the act of causing two people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement

: the process of finding a way to make two different ideas, facts, etc., exist or be true at the same time. Merriam-Webster.com

The Biblical Definition of Reconciliation.

Rom_5:11  And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Reconciliation G2643 καταλλαγή katallagē Thayer Definition:

1) exchange 1a) of the business of money changers, exchanging equivalent values

2) adjustment of a difference, reconciliation, restoration to favour

2a) in the NT of the restoration of the favour of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ Part of Speech: noun feminine

JFB’s Commentary on Romans 5:10-11

Rom 5:10 For if while we were hostile to God we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, it is still more certain that now that we are reconciled, we shall obtain salvation through Christ's life. Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now obtained that reconciliation.

(5) The justification of sinful men is not in virtue of their amendment, but of “the blood of God’s Son”; and while this is expressly affirmed in Rom_5:9, our reconciliation to God by the “death of His Son,” affirmed in Rom_5:10, is but a variety of the same statement. In both, the blessing meant is the restoration of the sinner to a righteous standing in the sight of God; and in both, the meritorious ground of this, which is intended to be conveyed, is the expiatory sacrifice of God’s Son.

(6) Gratitude to God for redeeming love, if it could exist without delight in God Himself, would be a selfish and worthless feeling; but when the one rises into the other - the transporting sense of eternal “reconciliation” passing into “gloriation in God” Himself - then the lower is sanctified and sustained by the higher, and each feeling is perfective of the other (Rom_5:11).

2Co_5:18  And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co_5:19  whereas God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and putting the word of reconciliation in us.

Weymouth Translation of the NT 2Co 5:19  We are to tell how God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not charging men's transgressions to their account, and that He has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation.

JFB's Commentary

God was in Christ, reconciling — that is, God was BY Christ (in virtue of Christ’s intervention) reconciling,” etc. Was reconciling” implies the time when the act of reconciliation was being carried into effect (2Co_5:21), namely, when “God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us.”

The compound of “was” and the participle “reconciling,” instead of the imperfect (Greek), may also imply the continuous purpose of God, from before the foundation of the world, to reconcile man to Himself, whose fall was foreseen. The expression “IN Christ” for “by Christ” may be used to imply additionally that God was IN Christ (Joh_10:38; Joh_14:10), and so by Christ (the God-man) was reconciling ... The Greek for “by” or “through” Christ (the best manuscripts omit “Jesus”), 2Co_5:18, is different. “In” must mean here in the person of Christ.

The Greek Katallasson implies “changing” or altering the judicial status from one of condemnation to one of justification.

The atonement (at-one-ment), or reconciliation, is the removal of the bar to peace and acceptance with a holy God, which His righteousness interposed against our sin.

The first step towards restoring peace between us and God was on God’s side (Joh_3:16). The change therefore now to be effected must be on the part of offending man, God the offended One being already reconciled. It is man, not God, who now needs to be reconciled, and to lay aside his enmity against God (Rom_5:10, Rom_5:11). (“We have received the atonement” [Greek, reconciliation], cannot mean “We have received the laying aside of our own enmity”). Compare Rom_3:24, Rom_3:25.

2Co 5:20  On Christ's behalf therefore we come as ambassadors, God, as it were, making entreaty through our lips: we, on Christ's behalf, beseech men to be reconciled to God.

Rwanda Reconciled?

To date, thousands of genocide perpetrators have been released from prison and back into the communities where they committed their crimes. While the country is experiencing peace, many of Rwanda’s citizens continue to live in unreconciled and tense relationships with each other. Many still live with the deep hatred, bitterness, and fear that have been a part of their lives since before and after the genocide.

Rwanda Partners works to heal people on more than an economic and poverty reduction level; our priority is also to support and mobilize Rwanda's survivors and repentant perpetrators toward healing and reconciliation. Through our own staff and partner organization Le Ruche Ministries, we have helped to organize and implement programs created and facilitated by Rwandans to help individuals, communities, and the country heal as a whole. One hundred and twenty reconciliation participants have been trained as leaders and work with Rwanda Partners as Reconciliation Ambassadors, spreading the message of forgiveness and reconciliation throughout their communities.

Reconciliation Workshops

Transforming lives and communities begins with a 3-day, intensive relational workshop that explores the dynamics of hatred and conflict as well as the issues that block reconciliation. For the three days, Rwandan reconciliation ambassadors lead discussions and sessions in renewing relationships, healing wounds, forgiveness and repentance.

Have you been RECONCILED TO GOD?