Reconciliation: Restored Relationship
Romans 5: 8-11
As we continue the series, Understanding Christianese, I want us to take a moment and consider the state of affairs in our nation, and even around the world. Particularly in America, if I had to choose one word to describe where we are nationally, at this moment I would choose the word divided. I have never known a time in my life when our nation was more divided and intolerant than it is today. We are divided politically, socially, racially, morally, spiritually…and on and on we could go. This division and enmity for one another has had a devastating effect on our nation and the quality of life we all hope to enjoy. The solution we are in desperate need of is for relationships to be restored; we need reconciliation in America. We hate to admit it, but reconciliation is needed in many of our churches. Division and contempt reign in our day.
As we consider the great divide we now face in America, we must also understand the great divide that exists between sinful humanity and the holy, sovereign God. Let’s take a moment to go back to the beginning. Genesis 3:8 – And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. Prior to Adam’s sin, he enjoyed fellowship with God. They walked together, enjoying fellowship in the Garden. When sin entered his heart, he felt the need to hide from God. That is not the nature nor the actions of friendship. The fellowship that Adam enjoyed with God was broken because of sin. Where joy and fellowship were once enjoyed, enmity was now present. Due to Adam’s sin, and each of us possessing his fallen nature, we too were born at enmity with God. Our sin caused separation, hindering the fellowship God desires with us. The only hope for our fellowship to be restored was reconciliation to God.
In our text Paul speaks of being reconciled to God. This is the Greek word katalaso. It means “to change mutually; to change completely.” It implies that God has laid aside and withdrawn His wrath in order to restore a relationship. Quite literally, enemies are made friends. We cannot adequately study the gracious benefits of our salvation without having a proper understanding of reconciliation to God. Those who were once the enemy of God through sin have been restored to fellowship with Him through salvation by His grace. I want to examine the certainties revealed in our text as we consider: Reconciliation – Restored Relationship.
I. The Grace Proclaimed (8) – But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. As you study the fall of Adam, you quickly discover that he was the one at fault. His disobedience led to the break in fellowship with God. Our sin caused separation with Him. Unfortunately we had no way of restoring that which had been lost. However, God in His marvelous grace provided the means of reconciliation to Him. Consider:
A. The Demonstration (8a) – But God commendeth his love toward us…We all were hopeless in sin, incapable of living for the Lord with no real desire to do so anyway. Friends and loved ones were unable to change our hopeless state, but God stepped in and offered grace. Even though we were guilty and undeserving, God offered grace to humanity.
The word commend in the text means “to offer, to demonstrate, display, and provide.” God is holy and we are born ungodly and sinful. In order to be accepted of God, we must be righteous as He is righteous. God provided the means of righteousness to us. His righteousness was transferred to us through the sacrifice of His Son. God’s grace was put on display at the cross of Calvary as He demonstrated His great love for us!
B. The Situation (8b) – while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God loved us and extended His grace toward us while we were yet in sin. He loved us long before we loved Him. While living in sin with no regard for the Lord at all, He loved us, having sent His Son to die for us. Rom.5:6 – For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Provision was made for our salvation long before we ever received it.
In fact, this was God’s plan and purpose before the foundation of the world. He knew men would need a Savior. He knew we would be born in sin, separated from Him. He knew His Son would have to bear our guilt and shame before He ever formed Adam of the dust of the ground. Gal.4:4-5 – But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
C. The Culmination (8b) – while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Paul again speaks of the great sacrifice and enormous gift of grace. Christ bore our sin, suffered the righteous judgment of God (which we deserved), and died in our place. He offered Himself the atoning sacrifice for sin, fully and eternally satisfying the righteous demands of God.
I have been saved for nearly thirty-five years and I am still amazed at the grace of God. It is still beyond my ability to comprehend. We were so loved that Christ willingly humbled Himself in the form of a man to suffer the agonies of the cross in order to purchase our redemption. Of all the gifts I have received, none compare to the treasure I have in Jesus. He died for me! He died for you! We have hope and salvation because of Christ!
II. The Gift Provided (9-11) – True to His divine nature and gracious love, God provided the means of our salvation. While this involves much, reconciliation is included in our salvation. (As we examine this gracious gift, you will be reminded of previous studies. The doctrines we have considered in previous weeks are all intertwined in salvation.) Notice, this gift includes:
A. Justification (9a) – Much more then, being now justified by his blood. We have already discussed this at length in a previous study, but Paul reminds us of the justification we have in salvation through Christ. We are declared righteous of God. The sinless righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us. We are no longer viewed as guilty and condemned, but righteous as our Lord.
B. Reconciliation (9b-10a) – we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10a] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. I rejoice to be justified, but I am also thankful to be reconciled. I was guilty, and you were too. Because of our sin, we were separated from God and deserved to face His righteous judgment. We stood in danger of eternal separation and torment in hell. Our guilt demanded justice. In Christ we are delivered from the wrath of God. Prior to salvation we all were at enmity with God, but through Him we are reconciled to God.
Remember, God chose to lay aside and withdraw the wrath we all deserved in order for our relationship with Him to be restored. Those who were once enemies with God, including you and me, are now considered the friends of God. I fear we often think too little of reconciliation. There is a tremendous blessing in being restored to fellowship with God. How much would we enjoy our salvation and the Christian journey if God merely tolerated our existence? How enjoyable would eternal life in heaven be if God permitted our presence, but wanted no fellowship with us?
Being reconciled to God is a wonderful gift! We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy fellowship with Him. Through the Spirit, we can commune with Him at any time. Isn’t it a blessing to consider that God desires fellowship with us?
C. Preservation (10b) – being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Christ died upon the cross and was buried in a borrowed tomb, but He didn’t stay dead. He rose from the dead and lives for evermore. He is now seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. Because Christ lives, we have the hope and assurance of eternal life as well. We have life and enjoy it more abundantly through Christ our Lord.
D. Transformation (11) – And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. This reveals a great truth. Those who once were at enmity with God through sin now rejoice in the Lord and offer praise unto Christ our Savior. The ungodly nature and desires we once possessed are replaced with a desire to please the Lord and worship Him. He is now the object of our affection rather than the flesh and its desires.
Paul also speaks of our receiving the atonement. This is the same Greek word translated reconciliation in other passages. We have been made acceptable to the Lord and partakers of His gracious inheritance. We have access to the throne of grace and can enjoy communion with our Lord personally. We have received much in Christ.
Conclusion: I hope you see the need for, and benefit of reconciliation through Christ Jesus. Apart from salvation, one remains the enemy of God, destined to suffer His judgment and wrath for sin. In Christ we are forgiven through His atonement for sin, reconciling us to God. Those who were once enemies are now restored unto a right relationship with God.
Have you responded to the gracious offer of salvation for sin, or do you remain an enemy of God. Those who deny salvation in Christ remain accountable for their sin and are considered the enemy of God. If you are yet unsaved, I urge you to respond to His gracious offer today. Come, repent of sin, believe in Christ by faith, and be restored to God.
Maybe you are saved, but there are strained relationships in your life. God is not pleased with division and contention within the body of Christ. If there is a need for reconciliation with a brother or sister in Christ, I urge you to seek the Lord in order to have those relationships restored. Whatever the need, bring it to Jesus!
