The One who Reconciled

Michael E. Wood

December 27, 2013

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

John Newton said it well when he penned the words, “Tis grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed. “

The more we are given the privilege of seeing through the scriptures the condition of the heart and mind with which we were born into this world the more amazed we become that God would have looked upon any of us with pleasure. Sin permeated every aspect of our being and we were blinded to that fact by the god of this world. We followed the spirit of this fallen world without a thought of our lost condition, thinking only of things in light of our personal advantage.

Having been born of the Spirit and made new creations in Christ we have been given a new principle of life effectually working in us whereby we are enabled to glory in the cross of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Likewise we are enabled by the Spirit to glory in God as our Father, who has reconciled us to Himself through God the Son.

Though unworthy, yet we glory

In the One who reconciled

We the people of His pleasure

When through Christ He on us smiled.

As His blood upon the alter

Through His veil of flesh was laid

In the presence of the Father

Justice for our sins displayed

Such an awesome show of mercy

None can fully fathom here

Yet through faith we live to honor

Him who died and shall appear

To bring forth the full redemption

Raising from the dust of earth

Bodies new then in the likeness

Of the One who gave new birth.

By the Spirit, let us praise Him

Till the final hour come

When in fullness we adore Him,

Christ, our God and Father’s Son.