Reconciled ...Now Your Move

It has been duly noted that Jesus' death on the cross isn't the be all, end all for the purposes of redemption (being bought) ....that had Christ not risen from the dead this story, this path, of redemption would be incomplete. And of course it would! Christ, Himself, said... 'destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19 ESV).

Jesus' death was adequate to pay the debt of our own sin. His resurrection completed a promise to reconcile us unto Himself. "He" was finished! "He" did all that needed to be done ...for us. Yet I believe God bestowed just a little sovereignty to you and I ....the choice to believe, and therefore, be changed.

So, what does it mean to be "reconciled"? We balance our checkbooks ...making debits balance back any credits ...in order to "reconcile" any possible differences. Jesus' death and resurrection, together, paid the cost due us ...and pinned the promise of glory ..not due us.

How should this change us?

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. -2 Corinthians 5:14-15

If we "identify" with Christ, we are claiming death to our old selves. We have to! Anything else just doesn't reconcile, doesn't balance out, doesn't add up. This doesn't mean we are without sin, but it means that we turn from sin, change our "minds" about sin (repentance) and choose to actively "follow" Christ ...instead of our old, worldly, nature.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 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. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. -2 Corinthians 5:16-21 ESV

What a gift! Who does that?? Only Christ... the sinless, unjustly murdered by sinful man, risen to go and prepare a place for us ...Lord Jesus! Yes, keep "eating", as it nourishes these "human" bodies ....but whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory o God! (1 Cor. 10:31) Present your bodies as a "living" sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord... (Rom. 12:1).

Let these words sink into your heart and mind..... 'For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God'.