"RECONCILED!"

2 Corinthians 5:17-19                                  (ESV)
"17 Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
18 All this is from GOD, WHO through CHRIST "RECONCILED" us to HIMSELF and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 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."



It is extremely interesting, when one takes the time to contemplate LIFE in CHRIST, how GOD reveals HIMSELF to some, and to others HE is a non-existent entity WHO is seldom, if ever, acknowledged or called upon?  Yet, they live on the earth that was created by GOD and rotates and orbits in such a precise manner that the most elaborate computer would have no chance of being in control of it?  But GOD doesn't just keep earth in orbit, HE is in control of all of us humans that have ever existed.

While it's easy to accept most of us zealots are wacky enough to go down a path of obedience, sometimes it's hard to believe that GOD even controls unbelievers.  In Exodus 14:4 GOD "hardens" Pharaoh's heart to pursue the children of Israel.  In Genesis 11:9 GOD's Word says "Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth".  Did you ever wonder where the term "babel" came from?   GOD caused the languages of all the earth to be confounded , and our only hope of being set free from this "bondage" is through JESUS CHRIST.

When we become "RECONCILED" to CHRIST we are a new creation, meaning that the "old person" has been replaced with a "new person".  These old bones and flesh are still the same, but the Spirit living inside of our bodies is regenerated.  How many times have we seen someone "turn over a new leaf", only to find that unless JESUS replaces our old spirit with HIS SPIRIT, the old person (and its desires) soon takes back over this dwelling we call a body?  Only by being "RECONCILED" to JESUS can the old person be overcome with a new creation for HIS Glory!

The same GOD WHO created the heavens and the earth also "RECONCILED" me through HIS SON, JESUS.  The thing that most don't understand is how JESUS did EVERYTHING needed for our salvation, we didn't even choose HIM!  In John 15:16a, JESUS says "You did not choose ME, but I chose you and appointed you.....".   We are CHOSEN to be "RECONCILED".

FATHER IN HEAVEN, please don't all me to ever think I did anything worthy of YOUR Mercy and Grace!  There is nothing I can offer, other than my sincere thankfulness for being "RECONCILED" to YOUR SON!!!