RECONCILED TO GOD
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Ephesians 2:11-18
Key Verse:
“And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:” (Ephesians 2:16, KJV)
Supporting Texts: Romans 5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Colossians 1:19-22; Ephesians 2:13-18; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23-26; Hebrews 10:19-22; 1 Peter 3:18.
Description: This message explains how Jesus Christ reconciles sinful humanity to God through His death on the cross, restores fellowship with the Father, and calls believers to live as recipients and ambassadors of His reconciliation.
INTRODUCTION
Reconciliation is the restoration of a relationship that has been damaged or broken. When two people become estranged, there must be a means of addressing the cause of their separation before their relationship can be restored. Sin created the greatest separation in human history by alienating humanity from God. Although people may seek fulfilment through religion, good works, wealth, or personal achievements, none of these can independently remove the guilt of sin or restore the broken relationship between humanity and its Creator.
In Ephesians 2, the Apostle Paul explains that both Jews and Gentiles needed the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. The Gentiles had been far from the covenants of promise, while the Jews possessed particular privileges under God's covenant. Yet neither group could establish peace with God through human effort. Through the blood of Christ, those who were far off were brought near, and through the cross, Christ reconciled both groups to God in one body. The cross became the place where the problem of sin was dealt with and the way to restored fellowship was opened.
Today, the message of reconciliation remains central to the gospel. God has provided the way for sinners to be forgiven, restored, and brought into fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ. Reconciliation is not something we earn; it is God's gracious provision received through faith. Those who have been reconciled to God are also called to live in obedience, enjoy His presence, and carry the message of reconciliation to others who are still separated from Him.
1. SIN CREATED SEPARATION BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANITY
To understand reconciliation, we must first understand the problem that made it necessary. God created humanity for fellowship with Himself, but sin brought disobedience, guilt, and spiritual separation. Adam and Eve's rebellion in Eden introduced brokenness into the human relationship with God, and the consequences of sin have affected every generation.
Humanity's greatest need is therefore not merely material prosperity, social acceptance, or physical comfort. It is the restoration of a right relationship with God. Until the problem of sin is addressed, the deepest need of the human heart remains unresolved.
a) Sin Separated Humanity from God (Isaiah 59:2) – The prophet explains that iniquities separate people from God and that sins hide His face from them. Sin is not simply a mistake or a weakness; it is a violation of God's holy standards. It damages fellowship with Him and brings guilt into the human heart. Reconciliation begins when we acknowledge our sin and recognise our need for God's mercy.
b) All People Have Sinned (Romans 3:23) – Scripture declares that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. No person can claim complete righteousness before God through personal merit. Religious knowledge, family background, social position, and good deeds cannot erase our guilt. Recognising our common need for grace should humble us and prevent us from looking down on others.
c) Sin Brings Spiritual Death (Romans 6:23) – The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Sin carries serious consequences, including separation from God and ultimately judgment. Yet God has not abandoned humanity to destruction. He has provided eternal life through Jesus Christ, offering forgiveness and restored fellowship to everyone who believes.
d) Human Effort Cannot Remove the Guilt of Sin (Ephesians 2:869) – Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast. Good works are valuable when they flow from a life surrendered to God, but they cannot purchase reconciliation. We must stop trusting in our own righteousness and place our confidence in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Biblical Example: Adam and Eve After the Fall (Genesis 3:1-24)
After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they became conscious of their nakedness, hid from His presence, and experienced the consequences of their sin. Their fellowship with God was disrupted, and they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. Their experience illustrates the destructive power of sin and the need for divine intervention to restore humanity to God.
2. GOD TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO RECONCILE US TO HIMSELF
One of the most wonderful truths of the gospel is that God did not wait for sinful humanity to find its own way back to Him. In His love and mercy, He took the initiative to provide reconciliation. Humanity could not overcome the barrier of sin by its own strength, so God sent His Son to accomplish what we could never accomplish for ourselves.
God's initiative reveals the depth of His love. He did not reconcile us because we had already become righteous or worthy. He acted while we were still sinners. The cross demonstrates that divine love does not ignore sin; it provides the means by which sinners can be forgiven and restored.
a) God Loved Us While We Were Still Sinners (Romans 5:8) – The Bible declares that God commendeth His love towards us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God's love was demonstrated before we could offer Him anything in return. This truth gives hope to those who feel unworthy or too far gone to receive mercy. No one should mistake the seriousness of sin for an inability of God to forgive the repentant.
b) God Sent His Son to Save the World (John 3:16-17) – God's gift of His only begotten Son reveals His desire to save those who believe in Him. Jesus came not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. Reconciliation is therefore rooted in God's loving purpose and made available through His Son.
c) God Was Working Through Christ to Reconcile the World (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) – Paul teaches that all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation. God is the source of this saving work. We do not persuade a reluctant God to become loving; rather, we respond to the love He has already demonstrated through Christ.
d) God's Grace Offers a New Beginning (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in trespasses and made us alive together with Christ. His mercy means that our past does not have to determine our eternal future. When we turn to Christ in faith, we can receive forgiveness, spiritual life, and a new beginning.
Biblical Example: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24)
The prodigal son wasted his inheritance in reckless living and eventually found himself in desperate circumstances. When he returned home in repentance, his father welcomed him with compassion and restored him to the household. This parable illustrates the heart of God towards repentant sinners. God desires restoration, and through Christ He has opened the way for those who return to Him.
3. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY FOUNDATION OF OUR RECONCILIATION
Reconciliation with God is possible because Jesus Christ dealt with the problem of sin through His death on the cross. The cross was not merely an example of suffering or a demonstration of human injustice. It was central to God's saving plan, through which Christ gave Himself for sinners and opened the way for them to approach the Father.
Jesus is both the One who makes reconciliation possible and the foundation upon which it rests. We cannot replace His sacrifice with religious ceremonies, human philosophy, or personal achievements. Our confidence must remain in His finished work and in the salvation He freely offers.
a) Christ Died to Bring Us to God (1 Peter 3:18) – Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. The sinless Son of God took the place of sinners so that they could be forgiven and restored. His sacrifice reveals both the seriousness of our sin and the immeasurable value of our reconciliation with the Father.
b) We Are Reconciled Through the Blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13) – Those who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. The blood signifies His sacrificial death, through which redemption and forgiveness are made available. Our access to God does not depend on human status or achievement but on the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
c) Christ Bore the Cost of Our Peace (Isaiah 53:5) – The prophet declares that He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, and that the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. The peace we enjoy with God was secured at a tremendous cost. Therefore, we must never treat salvation casually or forget the sacrifice through which it was made possible.
d) There Is No Other Foundation for Salvation (John 14:6) – Jesus declared that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. Reconciliation with God is not achieved by combining human efforts with Christ's sacrifice. We must place our faith in Jesus Christ and trust Him as Lord and Saviour.
Biblical Example: The Passover Lamb (Exodus 12:1-14)
Before Israel's deliverance from Egypt, God instructed each household to sacrifice a lamb and place its blood on the doorposts and lintel. When judgment came upon Egypt, the blood marked the houses that were to be spared. This event foreshadowed the deliverance God would accomplish through the sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God, whose death provides the basis for our redemption.
4. RECONCILIATION RESTORES OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
Reconciliation is more than the removal of guilt; it brings us into a restored relationship with the Father. Through Jesus Christ, we are no longer required to remain distant from God, hiding in fear or believing that we have no right to approach Him. We can come to Him through faith, receive His mercy, and enjoy fellowship with Him.
This restored relationship should transform the way we live. We now belong to God and are called to honour Him in our thoughts, words, choices, and relationships. Reconciliation is the beginning of a life of fellowship, discipleship, worship, and obedience.
a) We Have Peace with God Through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) – Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is peace in our standing before God: through Christ, the hostility caused by sin has been dealt with. Even when life presents challenges, we can have confidence that our relationship with God rests upon Christ's finished work.
b) We Have Access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18) – Through Christ, both Jews and Gentiles have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Prayer is therefore a privilege of the reconciled believer. We can approach God with reverence and confidence, bringing our needs, confessions, thanksgiving, and requests before Him.
c) We Become Members of God's Household (Ephesians 2:19) – Those who were once strangers and foreigners are now fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household. Reconciliation gives us a new spiritual family. We must therefore value fellowship with other believers and contribute to the life, unity, and mission of the Church.
d) We Are Called to Walk in Newness of Life (Romans 6:4) – Just as Christ was raised from the dead, believers are called to walk in newness of life. Reconciliation should produce a changed direction. We must turn away from the practices that dishonour God and seek to live in obedience to His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Biblical Example: The Woman Who Washed Jesus' Feet (Luke 7:36-50)
A woman known as a sinner came to Jesus, wept at His feet, and anointed them. Jesus spoke of her forgiveness and declared that her faith had saved her and that she could go in peace. Her story illustrates the mercy Christ extends to repentant sinners and the new relationship with God that forgiveness makes possible.
5. RECONCILIATION DESTROYS HOSTILITY BETWEEN PEOPLE
Ephesians 2:16 teaches that Christ reconciles both groups to God in one body through the cross, putting hostility to death. The reconciliation described here has both a vertical dimension—between humanity and God—and a horizontal dimension—between people who were divided. The gospel changes our relationship with God and calls us to a new way of relating to others.
It is inconsistent to celebrate God's forgiveness while deliberately nurturing hatred, prejudice, and division. Since Christ has received us by grace, we must learn to treat others with humility and love. This does not mean overlooking wrongdoing or forcing unsafe relationships to resume. It means refusing to let hatred govern our hearts and seeking reconciliation wherever it is truthful, wise, and possible.
a) Christ Breaks Down the Walls of Division (Ephesians 2:14) – Christ is our peace, and He has broken down the middle wall of partition. In the immediate context, He brings believing Jews and Gentiles together. This truth challenges believers to reject prejudice and hostility that contradict the unity established by Christ. Our shared identity in Him must influence how we regard and receive one another.
b) We Must Forgive as Christ Has Forgiven Us (Colossians 3:13) – Scripture calls believers to bear with one another and forgive one another. Forgiveness releases personal vengeance and places the matter in God's hands. It may take time to heal from deep wounds, and rebuilding trust may require accountability, but forgiveness prevents bitterness from becoming the controlling force in our lives.
c) We Must Pursue Peace with Others (Romans 12:18) – As far as it depends on us, we should live peaceably with all people. We cannot control every person's response, but we can choose to speak respectfully, listen carefully, and take responsibility for our own behaviour. Peace requires effort, humility, and a willingness to address conflict constructively.
d) We Must Become Agents of Reconciliation (Matthew 5:9) – Jesus declared that peacemakers are blessed and shall be called the children of God. Peacemakers do not spread rumours, fuel quarrels, or delight in the failure of relationships. They encourage honest communication, promote understanding, and help others pursue godly solutions to their disagreements.
Biblical Example: Jacob and Esau Reconcile (Genesis 33:1-11)
Jacob and Esau had been separated by a painful family conflict involving deception and the blessing of their father. When they met again, Jacob approached with humility, and Esau ran to embrace him. Their reunion demonstrates that relationships damaged by past wrongdoing can experience healing. It also reminds us that reconciliation may require humility, time, and a willingness to face difficult matters.
6. THOSE RECONCILED TO GOD MUST LIVE AS AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION
God has not reconciled us to Himself merely so that we can enjoy personal blessings. He has entrusted us with the responsibility of sharing the gospel and demonstrating His reconciling love. The Christian life should reflect the message we proclaim: that God forgives sinners, restores the broken, and brings people into fellowship with Himself through Jesus Christ.
Every believer can participate in this ministry. We may share the gospel with an unbeliever, encourage a wounded person, help resolve a disagreement, or demonstrate Christlike love in our daily relationships. Our conduct should make the message of reconciliation visible to those around us.
a) Receive the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18) – God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation. We must take this responsibility seriously by sharing the good news of salvation and encouraging people to turn to Christ. Our testimony should point others towards the grace that has changed our own lives.
b) Proclaim the Message of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19-20) – Paul describes believers as ambassadors for Christ, pleading with people to be reconciled to God. An ambassador represents the authority and interests of the one who sends him. We must therefore represent Christ faithfully, sharing His truth with love, humility, and courage.
c) Demonstrate Reconciliation Through Your Conduct (Ephesians 4:31-32) – Believers are instructed to put away bitterness, wrath, anger, and evil speaking, and to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving. Our conduct should support the message we preach. When people see us handling offences with humility and truth, they gain a practical picture of the transforming power of the gospel.
d) Help Others Find Hope in Christ (Matthew 28:19-20) – Jesus commissioned His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptising and teaching them to observe His commandments. Reconciliation is not complete in its mission until the message of salvation is carried to others. We must evangelise, disciple new believers, and help people grow in their restored relationship with God.
Biblical Example: The Samaritan Woman (John 4:28-30, 39-42)
After her encounter with Jesus, the Samaritan woman went into the city and told others about Him. Many Samaritans came to Jesus because of her testimony, and many more believed after hearing Him for themselves. Her response illustrates how a person who encounters Christ can become a witness who helps others discover the Saviour.
CONCLUSION
Reconciliation with God is one of the greatest blessings of the gospel. Sin separated humanity from its Creator, but God took the initiative to restore the relationship through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through His blood, we can receive forgiveness, peace with God, access to the Father, and membership in His spiritual family. The cross also calls us to reject hostility and live in love, humility, and peace with others. We must never forget that our reconciliation is a gift of grace, not a reward for our personal achievements.
If you have not yet received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, turn to Him in repentance and faith today. If you have already been reconciled to God, live daily in the freedom and fellowship He has provided. Reject sin, cultivate holiness, forgive those who offend you, and pursue peace wherever possible. Become an ambassador of reconciliation by sharing the gospel and demonstrating the love of Christ through your conduct. Let your life proclaim that through Jesus Christ, those who were once far away can be brought near to God.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, thank You for taking the initiative to reconcile me to Yourself through the death of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.
2. Lord Jesus, forgive my sins, cleanse my heart, and establish me firmly in a right relationship with God, in Jesus name.
3. Father, help me to depend completely on the finished work of Christ rather than on my own righteousness, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, deepen my fellowship with You and give me grace to walk in obedience to Your Word, in Jesus name.
5. Father, remove every trace of bitterness, hatred, prejudice, and hostility from my heart, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, give me the grace to forgive those who have offended me and wisdom to pursue healthy reconciliation, in Jesus name.
7. Father, restore peace and understanding in my family and help us to overcome every source of division, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, preserve the unity of Your Church and make us a living demonstration of the reconciling power of Christ, in Jesus name.
9. Father, empower me to share the gospel faithfully and help others discover the peace that comes through Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, make me a faithful ambassador of reconciliation whose words and conduct bring glory to Your name, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You shall walk in the assurance of your reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ, and you shall grow in the joy of His salvation.
2. You shall receive grace to overcome every sinful habit that hinders your fellowship with God, and your life shall increasingly reflect His holiness.
3. You shall approach God with confidence through Jesus Christ, knowing that His grace has opened the way for fellowship with the Father.
4. You shall not allow bitterness, hatred, or unforgiveness to control your heart; the Holy Spirit shall strengthen you to walk in love and wisdom.
5. Your family shall experience greater understanding, humility, and peace as you apply the principles of Christ's reconciling love.
6. You shall become a source of encouragement and reconciliation in your church, workplace, and community, helping others pursue truth and peace.
7. You shall receive boldness and wisdom to proclaim the gospel of reconciliation and point people towards the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
8. You shall grow in spiritual maturity, and your daily conduct shall demonstrate the reality of your restored relationship with God.
9. You shall faithfully represent Christ as His ambassador, and your life shall bring hope to those who are searching for forgiveness and peace with God.
10. You shall continue in the grace of God, live in fellowship with the Father, and fulfil your calling as a minister of reconciliation, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
