Our Man, Paul

Part 15 conclusion

 Our man in the Middle East

Gentle readers,

While volumes have been written about Paul the Apostle and I would like to go on for more days than you have on this earth expounding on how much we owe that man I feel that you have at least an idea of what the apostle is all about. 14 Books no mean feat even by today’s standards . I mean it’s been like pulling teeth to get my little effort out. But Paul not only reaches down to where we live (have you taken the time to read any of his work yet)? The last word that we want to consider is the best as far as I am concerned and that is

Reconciliation Greek

ajpokatallavssw Apokatallasso (ap-ok-at-al-las'-so) in the Greek

It seems to me that words must be very important for several reasons men can not live together in harmony unless they can depend on others to provide the things we need to survive. And for men to live together they must be able to communicate with each other. Before the advent of telephones, computers, email mail and others means of talking to one another, the only means available was writing. And it seemed good that the Lord God would provide a means to communicate with His Creation! Thus writing became most important and following on the heels of writing was the understanding of the written word.

Now all of this seems obvious were it not for the fact that more wars, disputes, arguments have started over one man misunderstanding another. Even in the 21st century we still find that men don’t truly understand one another . And even more so when it comes to Religion.

But unfortunately Even among the most well meaning people there seems to be a problem in understanding what God has said much less what He means when He writes to us for our understanding. God’s word can be compared to an onion once you peel off the first layer there is another and then another and another until you get down to the center. Now each layer is complete in itself but it does not become the center until one strips away each layer to reach the very center.

What does it mean to be reconciled?

To ask what reconciliation means strikes fear into any theologian or Bible

scholar who would dare to bring up the subject of reconciliation and even more so, since the doctrine of so many denominations, groups and creeds are based on teaching of some head, who while not holding the Scriptures as unable to speak for themselves and only if we were to listen to the man rather than to be a Berean and to "search the scriptures" to see if these things are so.

Our desire is to study the scripture and to let God’s word speak! Like Ezra of old we wish "to open the Book" and learn from it. Let us begin to see what God has said.

ROMANS 5: 10 "For if, when we were enemies, we were RECONCILEd to God by the death of his Son, much more, being RECONCILEd, we shall be saved by his life."

1co 7:11 "But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be RECONCILEd to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.’

2co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath RECONCILED us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2co 5:20 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.

Eph 2:16 And that he might RECONCILE both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to RECONCILE all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in

your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he RECONCILED

For if, when we were enemies, we were RECONCILEd to God by the death of his Son, much more, being RECONCILEd, we shall be saved by his life.

Reconciliation is a change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. God rather than punnish one who has offended Him rather brings the person who has been an enemy to the place where with "no strings attached" can now become a friend- a best friend!

In Colossians 1:21,22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love.

In 2 Corinthians 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity.

Romans 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconciled. Romans 5:11 teaches the same truth. From God we have received "the reconciliation" (RSV), i.e., he has conferred on us the token of his friendship. So also 2Cor. 5:18,19 speaks of a reconciliation originating with God, and consisting in the removal of his merited wrath. In Ephesians 2:16 it is clear that the apostle does not refer to the winning back of the sinner in love and loyalty to God, but to the restoration of God's forfeited favor. This is effected by his justice being satisfied, so that he can, in consistency with his own nature, be favorable toward sinners. Justice demands the punishment of sinners. The death of Christ satisfies justice, and so reconciles God to us. This reconciliation makes God our friend, and enables him to pardon and save us.

So it was given to the Apostle Paul, the theologian to bring to light the fact that it was God bringing us to Himself, for in fact Gentle Reader we would not, you would not come to God on your own. Let’s face it Gentle Readers, if left to ourselves we would never come to the Father on our own!

The picture that Paul wants us to understand is that in the Greek apokatallasso is to exchange hostility for friendship. In other words God wanted you to come back to the point where we could walk together as friends just as Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden in "the cool of the day" (Gen. 3:8 ). No longer do we have to fight, or war, or kill. Nor do we have to do anything to please God. You should also pay attention to the fact that it is only Paul and in his epistles that we learn about the fact that we have been Reconciled!

What do we have to do to get this great gift? It’s so easy that it becomes hard for many- accept! Just accept God at His word! God accepts us.

How that for a finish Gentle Reader?

That’s why I constantly tell you over and over that "You are accepted, you are valued, you are loved,

By God and Gentle Reader by me also!

Love,

Denis