“Regardless of their moral standing among other men and women, every human being in their natural condition is hostile and inimical toward God. We follow the devil and the sinful inclinations of our hearts. We are corrupted and unbelieving, and to us nothing is pure; both our minds and consciences are defiled (Titus 1:15). And yet, in our salvation we are made children of God…”
joe thorn
“Yet our reconciliation goes even deeper, for sinners are not only adopted as God’s children, but also are made friends of God (John 15:15; James 2:23). Friends dwell in peace, partner in mission, and maintain intimacy. We are bound to God through Jesus Christ as both children and friends. This act of divine reconciliation brands us as reconcilers with a ministry of reconciliation (Rom. 5:11; 2 Cor. 5:18).”
Reflection:
At times, we can begin to see the gospel in a transactional way. We admit we have a problem, see that God has a solution, apply to Him for that solution, and He grants us forgiveness. Then we go about our lives as people who have been set free.
There is nothing inherently wrong with these statements, but they leave out something very important—that the goal of life and the goal of the gospel is our communion with God. We were made for friendship with God. That is why God describes our salvation through the gospel as a reconciliation.
It is such a tragic thing when we live as enemies of God. We may not even realize we are doing it, but until we turn in faith to Christ, we live to steal God’s glory and divert it in other directions. Sadly, most often we are attempting to divert His glory to ourselves.
But that is what makes the good news of the gospel so good—Jesus came, lived, died, and rose to restore our fellowship with God. God does have the solution, yet we must always remember that where the solution leads is to God Himself.
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