Good morning people reconciled to God

(By Graeme Cann)

The last of the seven freedoms that I want to share with you is The Freedom to Pursue Reconciliation.

However I need to say something by way of caution.

Forgiveness of another frees us from our anger and resentment and may open the door for the possibility of reconciliation, but reconciliation cannot happen without repentance. When Jesus became sin for the whole world He held out forgiveness to every human being on earth. BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE RECONCILED WITH ANYONE AT THAT MOMENT. Reconciliation between humans and God is made possible because of God’s forgiveness, but it can only become a reality when we move toward God in repentance.

If our woundedness has occurred in a relationship that is dysfunctional and where our hurter has behaved toward us in a sinful and destructive manner, and if that relationship is still dysfunctional and our hurter’s behaviour is still destructive, then reconciliation God’s way cannot and must not happen.

When the crowd heard Peter preach on the day of Pentecost and they were convicted of their sin they cried out to Peter, “What must we do to be saved” (or what must we do to be reconciled to God?) Peter’s first word in reply was “REPENT” (Acts 2:38). God does not have one model of reconciliation for Himself and another for us. He makes that very clear.

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Yes we are free to seek reconciliation where that is right and proper, but remember true reconciliation only takes place when two people move toward each other in forgiveness and repentance.

This is same way that you and God must move toward each other – on the basis of you receiving His forgiveness and your repentance. May you receive fully and be completely free.

(Today’s BIY written by Graeme Cann)