Reconciler

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:17-20

The advent of Jesus was the beginning of the end of the distance between God and man. If you go way back to the moment when sin entered the world, you’ll see the instant tensions that arose. God didn’t have to tell Adam and Eve to hide; they instantly knew the consequence of doing what God said not to do: a situation that required reconciliation.

The word “reconcile” means to make something right, bringing it harmony or adjusting it so that it is congruent. It comes from the Latin word “conciliare” which means “bring together.” Both God and man made it apparent that a gap formed on the day man moved away from God.  A reconciler was required to close the gap. Advent marks the grand entrance of the ultimate reconciler!

To fully grasp how beautiful the Christmas season is, you need not look beyond the great problem mankind faces. Jesus brings back together that which could not have otherwise been settled. Understanding just how bad the difference is without Christ will make worshipping Him the only response a heart can muster. Remind yourself that in Christ you are a new creation because Jesus reconciled us to God.

DO THIS TODAY: Invite someone who needs reconciliation to your church this Sunday.