Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview
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RECONCILIATION: THE CALL OF GOD TO MEN
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:20.
“Reconciliation” is a most interesting word. It is employed in both Old and New Testaments in the context of the removal of any and all things that would stand between God and man as the righteous God demands him to be.
From the standpoint of etymology (the study of word origins and construction) the term admits a prefix, a root word, and a noun ending. They are: “re” meaning “again;” plus the Latin “concile” meaning, “to make that which is discordant to become consistent in harmony,” and the “tion” ending meaning the act of doing or the state of being. So, “reconciliation” means “the making of that which is discordant to be harmonious again.” And specifically people to/with God their Creator.
The word is often used in the business world, especially in the banking and accounting industries. When bank statements do not agree to the very penny, they must be reconciled. When accounting statements do not agree, they, too, must be reconciled to eliminate the error. Reconciled statements match perfectly.
The theological strength of the term lies in addressing the variant and undone condition of man in the sight of God. This is called sin. If man is to have any future in heaven with God, he must be a fit subject for that environment. If he is to enjoy the blessings of God in growing in knowledge and grace, he must be submissive (reconciled) to the leadership of the Holy Spirit which will be in strict connective terms with the Holy Word. Reconciliation measures one against the pattern set down in Holy Writ, and only that which matches specifically and perfectly is acceptable.
Reconciliation is not some high and lofty rule to which man always fails to attain, neither is it burdensome as some ascetics may indicate. Rather it is a state which is beyond man’s reach entirely, but perfectly attained by the Man, Christ Jesus. Thus faith in Him, His Word, His Person, His work, will bring the spirit of a
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