The word reconciliation is a relational word. It means a restored relationship after having gone through a breakup. To be reconciled means to be in good terms once again after a good relationship was somehow broken or destroyed.
Already Reconciled
When Paul said that God has reconciled us back to him, it means that God has already done something to restore that relationship. In Christ, God was reconciling the whole word to himself. Paul said that God has already forgiven our trespasses and he no longer counts our sins against us (2 Cor 5:18-19). From God’s side, in so far as God is concerned, he has already made the first move and he has already extended his right hand of fellowship and friendship to us. The good news is all about relationships. The good news is that through Jesus Christ as our Mediator and High Priest we already have access and can enjoy life and love together and in communion with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Our Participation and Response
Will we accept God’s offer of reconciliation and restore our relationship with him? In a relationship, our response to God’s love is important to him. This is not about contracts but about love, loving relationships.
Paul made an appeal and implored the believers in Corinth to be reconciled back to God (2 Cor. 5:20). Paul used relational words like “appeal” and “implore” as he convinced them to respond accordingly. Other Bible translations use the words: “beseech”, “pray” (KJV), “entreat”, “beg” (NAS), “urge”, “appeal” (NJB). Responding to God’s call is something that a loving father would love to see and hear from his children. He would love for his children to respond back to him in love.
God is Love Not a Contract-God
The gospel is not about a transaction or a contract. It’s about relationship and reconciliation. If we think that God is dealing with us like in a legal contract, then we would wrongly think that our response is a condition or requirement before we get reconciled back to God. We would think that we earned our salvation because we “repented and believed” — just like in a transaction or legal contract. We will think that repentance and faith are “requirements for salvation.” But that is not true. God is not a contract-God. Rather, we should think of God’s commands as imperatives of grace in view of the fact that God is love (indicative of grace), our obedience that comes from faith (Rom. 1:5. 16:26).
Yes, God is love (1 John 4:8). That’s who the triune God is. God loves us and he wants to have a relationship with us. Whether we will accept God’s love or not, whether we repent and believe or not, he will continue to love us unconditionally just the same. He is our loving Father. And of course, fathers would love their children to respond with love in return. It’s a loving relationship that God is after. It’s not about legal requirements like in a contract in order to be saved. This is the true gospel. This is good news!
For Further Study:
Updated 3/14/2020