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

The word reconcile means to change from enmity to friendship, to once again make one a friend. From time to time we hear of two people who become angry and quarrel. They may be husband and wife, father and son, employer and employee, or neighbor and neighbor. But when the matter between them has been settled, and they once again become friends, we say that they have been reconciled. In 2 Corinthians chapter five, the apostle Paul teaches us that it is only through Christ we can be reconciled to God.

Reconciliation is necessary because of our sins. Through our sins we have been separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), and while we continue in our sins, we cannot have fellowship with God. The apostle John wrote, "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Yet God loved man so much that He made forgiveness and reconciliation possible through the blood Jesus.

Notice in particular verse twenty-one of 2 Corinthians 5 "Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 'Him who knew no sin' (the sinless one, Jesus Christ), "He made to be sin on our behalf" (Jesus died upon the cross that the sinful ones (that's us) might have forgiveness), "that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (that we might be cleansed and reconciled to God so that we might serve God as His people).

Have you been reconciled to God? Have you been forgiven of your sins? Are you presently in a right relationship with the great God of heaven? Although Jesus paid the price, there is something we must do to receive the wonderful gift of salvation.We must accept the gift through obedience to the gospel of Christ.Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).

Sunday

Bible Study 9:30 a.m.
Worship 10:30 a.m.
Worship 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday

Bible Study 7:30 p.m.

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