Really Good News

"Yet all is of God, Who conciliates us to Himself through Christ, and is giving us the dispensation of the conciliation, how that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation. For Christ, then, are we ambassadors, as of God entreating through us. We are beseeching for Christ's sake, ''Be conciliated to God!''" (2 Cor 5:18-20 CLV)

Let's take a look at Paul's summary of the Gospel.

"... All is of God, ..."

Nothing happens that does not serve Father's purposes. From Father's perspective, all His purposes were accomplished before He began.  Such is the power of His Sovereign Will.  So He is able to declare the end from the beginning and things that are not as though they are. All that Father has declared, He will do.  He will do all His pleasure.  His purposes will be accomplished. 

"Who conciliates us to Himself through Christ ... conciliating the world to Himself ..." 

We, indeed all of mankind, were conciliated to Father in Christ.  All the barriers between Father and mankind were removed.  That work was finished on Calvary and nothing remains to be done.  This is difficult for us to concede since, from the perspective of the flesh, nothing is accomplished save for human volition, energy and industry.  We are continually tempted to think we can or must add to Father's work.  Let's concede this point: the work of conciliation is finished, and we had nothing to do with it.

"... not reckoning their offenses to them ..."

Father has no accounting sheet with a list of your sins. No record of sin exists. This can't be overemphasized. GOD HAS NO RECORD OF YOUR (OR ANYONE ELSE'S) SINS. (THE Judgment has NOTHING to do with transgressions! We'll look at that subject in an upcoming post). Father is not waiting to squash you like a bug if you stray even a hair's breadth from the straight and narrow.  Father has no can of canola oil with your name on it. (That is not to say that sin has no consequences NOW.  That is an entirely different matter.)  THE PENALTY FOR ALL SIN HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL.  We also had nothing to do with this.

"... placing in us the word of the conciliation."

The ecclesia is now privileged to share this Good News as Father gives opportunity.  He has done all the work. All the barriers are gone. This is our calling.  To declare that Father, through Jesus, has conciliated all mankind to Himself, so be at peace with Father.  Each will come to saving faith WHEN Father bestows it. And ALL creation will declare Their praises!

And I heard every creature which is in the Heaven and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all who are in them, saying, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever. [Rev 5:13]