The word 'reconciled' implies that we once had a relationship with God which was broken; but that through the finished work of Christ that relationship has now been restored.
Sin destroys relationships. Our relationship with the Father was broken when we disobeyed him and enthroned ourselves as the authority in our lives. But Christ has changed all that. Paul writes in 2Corinthians 5: 19,
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
To be reconciled with God is to be 'at one' with him. We have peace with him through Christ. From this comes the word atonement. And our reconciliation with the Father leads to two important things: We are adopted as his children, and we have access to him in prayer.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! – 1 John 3: 1
We have seen that through the death of Jesus on the cross, the wrath of God has been averted, we have been bought back from the slavery of sin, we have been pronounced 'not guilty' and we have been reconciled with the Father. All of this happened because Jesus chose to take my place and yours on the cross.
The response we need to make is simply to believe. To believe is to trust God for all the things he has done for us in Christ.
Praise my soul, the King of Heaven;
To his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like thee His praise should sing?
Lord Jesus, thank you for taking my place on the cross. Thank you that because of you I have been reconciled to the Father. Amen.
David Long
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