Reconciling Our Spiritual Account Part 1 by Carey Dillinger
(Reprinted from The Expository Files (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4051/)
Once a month my bank statement makes its way onto my desk. It is always with some trepidation that I begin the process of reconciling my checkbook with the bank statement. Some have the luxury of not caring if their checkbook is in agreement with their bank statement or not. As a public school teacher on a budget it is necessary to care; to avoid overdrawing my account as I approach that inevitable "too much month at the end of the money!"
The process of reconciliation is relatively simple (did I mention I am a math teacher?) if you follow the steps outlined on the back of the statement. However, if after this process is completed and the checkbook balance still does not match the statement balance, then there are changes or exchanges that must take place for the reconciliation to be complete.
I have found in my 20-odd years of keeping a checking account that I am usually the culprit when it comes to mistakes to be changed. It usually amounts to an arithmetic mistake or forgetting to record a transaction (hopefully, a deposit). I have caught the bank in error on only two occasions that come to mind. Nevertheless, both parties involved are fallible and susceptible to either human or computer error or both.
When it comes to reconciling our spiritual account with God however, the "bank" is never wrong! The authority on biblical reconciliation is the Apostle Paul. It is through his inspired epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians, Corinthians and Romans that we come to an understanding of how biblical reconciliation operates under God's auspices for our benefit.
Who needs to be reconciled to whom?
The New Testament word "reconcile" means to change
or exchange. But who is obligated to do this changing? I can think
of three possible relationships where two parties might need to
be brought into agreement.
Man to Man?
Jesus suggests that there are cases where reconciliation must
take place, brother to brother (Mt. 5:24). Paul speaks of the
case where spouse is to be reconciled to spouse (1 Cor. 7:11).
In both of these instances those to be reconciled are on equal
footing, much like our example of the bank and the customer. The
Greek word used for reconcile in these instances has the prefix
"di" (two), indicating that the agreement may have to
be reached via compromise. Both parties may have to change in
order for reconciliation to come about. This is not the kind of
reconciliation that Paul says must take place if man is to be
in a right relationship with God.
God to Man?
No Bible text indicates that God will reconcile Himself to man.
The inspired epistles of Paul the Apostle (1 Cor. 2:7-13) teach
us that God provides for the reconciliation to take place, but
for it to take place, it will not be God that does the changing.
Man to God?
The New Testament word for reconciliation used in the epistles'
of Paul demands that the changes take place on the side of only
one of the parties involved. If God is immutable, then the changes
must take place on the part of man (Jms. 1:17,18). It is man that
must be reconciled to God if he wishes to partake of the blessings
of Christ. This is clearly seen in Eph. 2:14-16.
(14) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and
has broken down the middle wall of separation, (15) having abolished
in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained
in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the
two, thus making peace, (16) and that He might reconcile them
both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to
death the enmity. (NKJ)
Thus we learn that both Jew and Gentile alike, can and will be
reconciled to one another only when they are first reconciled
to God.
Why does man need to be reconciled to God?
The Ephesians passage makes it obvious that man can never be spiritually reconciled to man apart from his reconciliation to God. The "enmity" between man is put to death through the cross of Christ. Colossians 1:19-23 and Romans 5:10,11 spell out precisely why man needs to be reconciled to God - because man is at odds with God.
Col. 1:19-23
(19) For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fulness
to dwell in Him, (20) and through Him to reconcile all things
to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;
through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
(21) And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind,
engaged in evil deeds, (22) yet He has now reconciled you in His
fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him
holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- (23) if indeed you continue
in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away
from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed
in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a
minister. (NAS)
Rom. 5:10,11
(10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God
through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled,
we shall be saved by His life. (11) And not only that, but we
also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom
we have now received the reconciliation. (KJV)
Many proponents of "universal salvation" (everyone is saved) have tried to use Col. 1:19-22 as their proof text. However, a close examination of verse 23 indicates that those reconciled must "continue in the faith" and not be "moved away from the hope of the gospel." Why then does man need to be reconciled to God? Without reconciliation we are enemies of God and stand outside of His saving grace.
Soar Like An Eagle by W. Frank Walton
(Reprinted from Biblical e-Sights: devotional@biblical-insights.org)
"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint" (Isa 40:30-31).
In context, God addresses to the remnant who had been languishing
in Babylonian captivity for 70 restless years. Isaiah predicted
about 150 years in advance that news would finally come that they
could go home to restore and rebuild the Jewish nation. They would
soar on the heights of joy in anticipation of the long awaited
trek homeward.
However, before they could finally arrive home, there would be
the long, arduous and perilous journey of over 600 miles. It would
be a hard journey that could break the unaided efforts of the
strongest "young men" or defeat the most vigorous "youths."
Yet, God promised them that they could, by patiently trusting
in Him alone, rise above the journey's obstacles and soar on the
wings of faith. "For I know the plans that I have for you,'
declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to
give you a future and a hope" (Jer 29:11; cf. 29:10-14).
The believer in God is likened to an eagle. It is a strong, confidant, and a majestic bird. I've read that it relies on thermal currents in the air to glide gracefully through the air, spreading its God-given wings to soar high above the perilous storms. It's God-given instinct uses the updrafts produced by rough terrain to fly with efficient effort. When the eagle rests, it nests in the high, rocky clefts, trusting it for protection.
God made us to soar to great heights in our heavenward journey. However, the long and wearisome journey of life can tire our faith and dim our hope. If we trust mainly in our finite, puny selves, we will grow weary and fail. Our faith must instinctively look up to God and His Word always. "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Heb 11:6). He dwells above the clouds where the sun is always shining, in the calm light of eternity.
Our God can lift us up above the shadows sorrow of this life into the light of His joyous presence. Our faith and study of His faith-building Word is a renewable resource for the journey home (Rom 10:17). "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen" (Jude 24-25).
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida
34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.geocities.com/~cdillinger/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of, and visitors to,
the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg, Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
address or via e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com
TEN "SIGNS" OF THE TIMES
1. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report
for duty.
2. God doesn't want shares of your life - He wants a controlling
interest.
3. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.
4. Don't change God's message - let His message change you.
5. All Church's should be "prayer-conditioned".
6. When God ordains, He sustains.
7. Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.
8. Plan ahead - It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
9. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
10. Suffering with truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.