The Reality of God's Reconciliation

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Reconciliation simply means a change in status, and it is a major issue recognizing reconciliation. Reconciliation from God’s advantage point is an accomplished fact, and God is reconciled where the totality of the sin debt of all men is concerned. None of us measure up to the perfection of God, and the only reason God could say through Paul, “Grace and Peace be unto you” is because his son fully paid the price. How many of us have grown up with the idea that God has to make a decision at some point in our life whether or not to forgive us for our sins? God forgiving us is not something he must decided to do.

The truth Paul has proclaimed in all of his epistles is we could not get right with God in a million life times of trial and error. We could never make ourselves right with God, and he had to do what we could not do for ourselves. God had to make us right with him, and he did so through the finished work of his perfectly righteous son. How many of our sins were future when Christ died for our sins? All of them were future, and God placed them all on his perfectly righteous son. Christ’s test score is written on our paper, it is an amazing transfer.

The issue of sin was settled as a result of Christ’s death upon the tree of crucifixion, it is a son issue today, not a sin issue. Will we accept what Jesus Christ accomplished as a result of his death upon the tree of crucifixion or will we reject it, the son is the issue with God today. God’s attitude of love forces no one to take him at his word. God gives all the choice to accept what Christ accomplished on their behalf today, or to reject it. God purchased men out of sins dominion, never to be returned to the market place of sin again. By removing the sin issue from the table of God’s justice, God effectively canceled Satan’s ownership of all mankind.

Reconciliation has to do with God’s justice being satisfied for sins, reconciliation is a sin issue. Many teachers will tell us that we can be reconciled, but that is not true, reconciliation was accomplished as a result of Christ’s death upon the tree of crucifixion, where Christ became sin for the entire human race. Our sins were not stored on Christ to be brought back later; our sins were paid for by him, and he satisfied totally the justice of God for those sins.

Justification, on the other hand, is something entirely different; it has to do with a judicial decree of the very righteousness of God himself freely attributed to our account. To be justified (the gift declaration of the very righteousness of God) means to receive that gift that came to all men. No one can receive that unless that person is placed into Christ. Being placed into Christ, joined to Christ is the method whereby God justifies us; or righteousifies us. We must believe that Christ put our sins (past, present and future) away forever as a result of his death, in order to be placed into Christ to have righteousness freely attributed to our account.

[larrylyates]

"The issue of sin was settled as a result of Christ’s death upon the tree of crucifixion, it is a son issue today, not a sin issue. Will we accept what Jesus Christ accomplished as a result of his death upon the tree of crucifixion or will we reject it, the son is the issue with God today."

What a succinct and insightful statement of the matter. This is one of the clearest presentations of the question facing the Apostolic Church today. it's ramifications resonate more deeply than we probably realize.

In a recent article on my blog, entitled "Sons of God, Acting Like Sons of God," I presented the following truths:

1. Truth #1 – God intended MAN to have and walk in dominion ON THE EARTH.

2. Truth #2 – Man forfeited that position of dominion by acting on Satan’s word instead of God’s word.

3. Truth #3 – When man forfeited his position of dominion, he also forfeited his position of fellowship and communion. (Fellowship, Communion, and Dominion are not different positions, they are all one in the same.)

4. Truth #4 – God wanted man in a position of fellowship/dominion so much that He was willing to sacrifice Jesus to return man to his original position.

5. Truth #5 – Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil –By His life He showed us how to live on earth as a man walking in dominion. He was the second Adam. Jesus walked like a man without sin, in a sinful world.

6. Truth #6 – Jesus did His part. If we are not back into our original position before God, then Jesus’ sacrifice was not as good as Adam’s sin was bad.

7. Truth #7 – We, being the body of Christ, are to walk as Jesus upon the earth, being for others what Jesus was and is for us. We are to be deliverers of those who are bound by Satan, as Jesus did. Jesus showed us how. By having fellowship and communion with our Heavenly Father, and freely giving what we have freely received.

It is time for the sons of God to arise. The Church must take her place in the world and begin to fulfill her mission and purpose. Only when we return to New Testament patterns, principles and priorities will we begin to experience New Testament power.

Thanks for your post. It calls attention to weighty matters, that must be dealt with effectively.

[Rudy]

Liberating. Why can't we accept this? It seems we are so consumed with frivolous issues we miss mark.

[Michael The Disciple]

Is this worthy of accepting? What does he mean by THIS?

We must believe that Christ put our sins (past, present and future) away forever as a result of his death, in order to be placed into Christ to have righteousness freely attributed to our account.

Does the poster mean God will never deal with us concerning issues of sin again? That if one sins they need not repent?

[crakjak]

"The issue of sin was settled as a result of Christ’s death upon the tree of crucifixion, it is a son issue today, not a sin issue. Will we accept what Jesus Christ accomplished as a result of his death upon the tree of crucifixion or will we reject it, the son is the issue with God today."

What a succinct and insightful statement of the matter. This is one of the clearest presentations of the question facing the Apostolic Church today. it's ramifications resonate more deeply than we probably realize.

In a recent article on my blog, entitled "Sons of God, Acting Like Sons of God," I presented the following truths:

1. Truth #1 – God intended MAN to have and walk in dominion ON THE EARTH.

2. Truth #2 – Man forfeited that position of dominion by acting on Satan’s word instead of God’s word.

3. Truth #3 – When man forfeited his position of dominion, he also forfeited his position of fellowship and communion. (Fellowship, Communion, and Dominion are not different positions, they are all one in the same.)

4. Truth #4 – God wanted man in a position of fellowship/dominion so much that He was willing to sacrifice Jesus to return man to his original position.

5. Truth #5 – Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil –By His life He showed us how to live on earth as a man walking in dominion. He was the second Adam. Jesus walked like a man without sin, in a sinful world.

6. Truth #6 – Jesus did His part. If we are not back into our original position before God, then Jesus’ sacrifice was not as good as Adam’s sin was bad.

7. Truth #7 – We, being the body of Christ, are to walk as Jesus upon the earth, being for others what Jesus was and is for us. We are to be deliverers of those who are bound by Satan, as Jesus did. Jesus showed us how. By having fellowship and communion with our Heavenly Father, and freely giving what we have freely received.

It is time for the sons of God to arise. The Church must take her place in the world and begin to fulfill her mission and purpose. Only when we return to New Testament patterns, principles and priorities will we begin to experience New Testament power.

Thanks for your post. It calls attention to weighty matters, that must be dealt with effectively.

Yes, it is time for the sons & daughters of God to arise, and to walk in all the God has provided thru Jesus our Savior!!

But just like natural children and parents: some children just can't embrace and walk in all that their natural parents have provided. But they are still sons and daughters.

The work of Jesus has already been credited to our account, some just don't know they are rich, and how to write the check. The are still rich, just not enjoying the benefits, YET.

[Rudy]

Is this worthy of accepting? What does he mean by THIS?



Does the poster mean God will never deal with us concerning issues of sin again? That if one sins they need not repent?

IMO this is about being free from judgement. Our righteousness comes from what Christ has done. We are on the potters wheel til his return or our death. Repentance is always needed, we may miss the mark at times. Willful sin is another story IMO. Such as Judas was involved in. Peter's sin was not planned when he denied Christ.

We are set free from the law from which sin gets its bite. We are reconciled back to what God wanted for man, innocence and freedom. No more condemnation!!!

[Michael The Disciple]

IMO this is about being free from judgement. Our righteousness comes from what Christ has done. We are on the potters wheel til his return or our death. Repentance is always needed, we may miss the mark at times. Willful sin is another story IMO. Such as Judas was involved in. Peter's sin was not planned when he denied Christ.

We are set free from the law from which sin gets its bite. We are reconciled back to what God wanted for man, innocence and freedom. No more condemnation!!!

No condemnation to those who are in Christ who walk not afer the flesh but after the spirit. Romans 8:1

If a believers lives after the flesh they will die. Rom. 8:13

I say this is a corrupt teaching because its one sided.

[Luke]

If there is no longer a sin issue pleas explain all of the passages in the bible after the gosples that deal with man's sin and even with the sin of christians.

[Rudy]

No condemnation to those who are in Christ who walk not afer the flesh but after the spirit. Romans 8:1

If a believers lives after the flesh they will die. Rom. 8:13

I say this is a corrupt teaching because its one sided.

Walking in the flesh is willful sin imo. "Where there is willful sin there is no more sacrifice for sin."

[Rudy]

If there is no longer a sin issue pleas explain all of the passages in the bible after the gosples that deal with man's sin and even with the sin of christians.




Romans 8:1-39 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A1-39&version=ESV) ESV /

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ...

[Luke]

Romans 8:1-39 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A1-39&version=ESV) ESV /

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ...

That passage backs up my question by pointing out that as christians we cannot be saved if we continue to sin. Therefore there is still a sin issue.

[Rudy]

That passage backs up my question by pointing out that as christians we cannot be saved if we continue to sin. Therefore there is still a sin issue.

Do you sin?

[Luke]

By the grace and strength of God no.

[Rudy]

By the grace and strength of God no.


Humm,OK.

[Luke]

Humm,OK.

Are you of the belief that we cannot help but sin?

[Michael The Disciple]

By the grace and strength of God no.

This should be the normal Christian response.

[Rudy]

Are you of the belief that we cannot help but sin?


Ever break the law? secular law -- governing law?

[Luke]

Not intentionally.

[Rudy]

Not intentionally.

Can you get a ticket for going over the speed limit?

[Luke]

I do not speed.

[Rudy]

I do not speed.


Never go over the speed limit??


Ever get testy with the Mrs?


Watch no carnal movies?


Ever go to the beach?

You don't have to answer.

[Michael The Disciple]

So stunning. People trying to convince others that they sin. That's where we have fallen. Totally normal for everyone to continue in sin. We should be exhorting one another daily last we be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

In todays believers sin is like an old familiar friend...always there.

[Rudy]

So stunning. People trying to convince others that they sin. That's where we have fallen. Totally normal for everyone to continue in sin. We should be exhorting one another daily last we be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

In todays believers sin is like an old familiar friend...always there.

What's your opinion on this? not trying to be a smartelic.

I John.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

[Michael The Disciple]

Many quote this scripture in opposition to the teaching that a born again believer is able to live without sin:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
John 1:8

Standing alone and out of context it looks to be true. However lets look at the wider context and we will see a different meaning.

1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. John 1:5-8

The problem comes because most do not percieve that verse 8 is referring back to verse 6. John was addressing a specific problem among believers. That some were claiming they were having fellowship (being in touch with God) with God yet they were walking in darkness.

They were commiting some sin yet they thought they were still in fellowship with the Lord. This was the lie. When one is stuck in a sin and refuses to admit it they lie to themselves and become convinced they are still in fellowship with Jesus.

Verse 7 is telling them (or us as it may be) that if we will come back into the light the blood of Jesus will cleanse them from all sin.

Verse 8 then returns to the same point as verse 6.

That being, if one trys to cover their sin and does not admit their true condition they are deceiving themselves and the truth is not in them.

Verse 9 tells how to break the deception and be cleansed of the sin. Instead of saying "I am not in sin" or "I have no sin" we are to confess the sin and be forgiven by Christ.

Verse 10 is further admonition to confess and agree with God that sin has affected the relationship between God and the offender. If confession and repentance does not happen the person is disagreeing with God. In his deception he thinks God is still blessing him and showing him favor. In effect he is calling God a liar.

So please understand. When John says "if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" it was not written to say the average believer could never be without sin.

Obviously this would be a contradiction to other statements by the same apostle in the same book!

For instance:

2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
John 2:1

Here John plainy tells believers to sin not. It would certainly be confusing if the same apostle who tells people to "sin not" would tell the same people that if they said they had no sin they were liars and the truth was not in them as if it could not be done!

He simply adds that IF not even when but IF you sin you can be forgiven by God through Jesus Christ.

Again a few verses later the matter of who it is that is deceived comes again into focus.

2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:3-4

Here John says if we say we know him and do NOT keep his commandments we are a liar and the truth is not in us!

So IN CONTEXT we can see this is EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE message that many are getting out of the apostles writing. Most today think if you say you are not commiting sin YOU are the liar.

Johns real meaning was that those who say they are in fellowship with God and are not keeping his commands (commiting sin) are those who are liars and deceived!

Here are a few more examples from other apostles that if John were telling Christians they were deceived if they thought they were living without sin would be contradictions.

Apostle Paul:

15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

He tells the saints to sin not. He says the exact thing John said in 1 John 2:1

Apostle Peter:

2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 2 Peter 2:14

Peter mentions those who cannot cease from sin in quite a negative light! If he reproves souls who cannot stop sinning he must have believed they COULD STOP SINNING!

So friend it seems all the apostles taught we could walk without sin.
One more example from Johns writings:

2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 John 2:5-6

So in conclusion when John says "if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" he is focusing on those WHO ACTUALLY DO have sin in their lives and instead of confessing it are holding on to it.

THEY my friends are the ones who his admonition is meant for. He was not trying to say that obedient saints who were actually keeping the Lords word were deceived for doing what he himself had told them to do.

It was simply showing that we are to confess if indeed we have sinned instead of trying to cover our sins. That would only lead to deception.

Hope this helps! Peace, Mike

[Rudy]

Good post.