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Spirit are one, 1John 5:7 they always have been and, always will be. Too often, we separate them,
one from another, and thereby diminish the power that is provided for our salvation.
Conciliate is a verb that was derived from the Latin root word concil from which we get the
English word, council. Much deeper meaning is found in this word when it is accompanied by the
various Latin endings. The word, itself means, 1. To overcome the distrust or animosity of; win
over; placate; soothe. 2. To gain, win, or secure (favor, friendship, or good will, for example) by
friendly overtures. 3. To make consistent; reconcile... [Latin conciliare, to bring together, unite,
from concilium, union, gathering, meeting.1 When we speak of things being made consistent, we
speak of being made consistent with the thoughts and ways of God. Hatred of Sin becomes
“natural” for those who are born of God. (1John 3:9)
The word, reconciliation, finds importance from a Biblical perspective in that Christ's mission
was one of reconciliation as recorded in Hebrews 2:17 and Colossians 1:20. It was not only to
reconcile the world to Himself that God sent His Son, but to reconcile all things, including things in
heaven. By the blood of Christ the whole universe has been reconciled to the Father. But, for that
reconciliation to be effectual, there must also be a mutual, reciprocal reconciliation on our part. To
state it simply we must be able to at least say, “Ok God, I guess you‘re not quite the ogre you’ve
been made out to be.” At least, that’s where it started for me.
His faithfulness and love toward us must be faithfully returned to Him by those who realize that
they have been reconciled. He has shown His willingness to be reconciled by the gift of His own
Son. He now asks us to present ourselves "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is
our reasonable service." And we must also not be “conformed to this world,” but “transformed by
the renewing” of our minds. (Romans 12:1 & 2) Because man is unconscious of the evil enmity
that exists, it is by God’s power only, that this reconciliation can be accomplished, and mankind be
saved. Without His unfailing intervention and prompting of our hearts we will, indeed, die. In
spite of our sinful condition He is still able to save all who will come to Him in repentance. To be
reconciled, Webster tells us, is “to make friendly again or to win over to a friendly attitude” and
“bring into harmony.”2 How appropriate this description is to the topic under discussion. Jesus, of
course, is called “a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to
the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and
prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might
gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even
in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the
purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” (Ephesians 1:2-11)
We cannot, of ourselves, overcome the evil enmity that exists within each of us, and just as the
work of reconciliation is wholly a work of God, so is the work of revealing to us that the enmity
that exists. In His own time, and in His own way, God reveals this to each of us, so that we might
see Sin for what it really is and then, choose to overcome it in His power. God, reconciling Himself
to us, is the objective Gospel, while our being reconciled to Him is the subjective Gospel. As
discussed more in a later segment of this book, Jesus’ life and death reconciled all mankind to the
Father and assured us of eternal life, but we must receive Christ’s death as our own, by faith – be
crucified with Christ -- , or
1
From The American Heritage Dictionary, 1981 edition.
2
Webster’s New World Dictionary, Second College Edition, copyright © 1972
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The Father has been reconciled to us but we cannot be reconciled to Him unless we reciprocate,
do that which is required to complete the act of reconciliation. And Micah 6:8 clearly reveals,
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of the, but to do
justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
What does it mean to do justly, if it is to not judge others wrongly? And what is it to love
mercy, if it not to show it unconditionally to others? Showing mercy means not judging, jumping
to conclusions, or presupposing the intentions of others (that would be evil enmity working). It is
exercised in leading others to Christ that He, by the power of the Holy Spirit, might bring about the
needed changes. And what is it to walk humbly with thy God, if it not to live a life emptied of self,
and filled with the gifts of the Spirit of Christ? Christ is our one and only example and, by far, the
best example of walking humbly. Only as we exemplify Christ can we lead others to Him. We
can not look at other men, nor ourselves, to establish the requirements of God; we must look to God
and His Word to discover His requirements are for each of us. This is true in terms of an individual
relationship with Him, a relationship with His church or a relationsip with the world.
2Corinthians 3:18 pronounces, “...we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of
the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
God tells us in Philippians 4:8; “...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Thinking on these things will develop within us the godly enmity which Christ died to provide.
Through recognizing the evil enmity that caused men to slay Him and choosing not to partake of it,
and by experiencing the godly enmity that prevailed and reconciled the world to Himself, we are
changed, renewed by the Holy Spirit of peace… new creatures, in Christ.
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