25 Oct November 4th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

RECONCILED!

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.”

Reconciled!  To be reconciled means that prior to this happening you were an enemy.  It doesn’t make any difference what it was that made you an enemy, to be one means you were opposed and hostile to that person.  It was impossible for you to agree with one another.  Your lives were moving in different directions.

Reconciled means to be restored into a healthy, good relationship with the person who was your enemy or one with whom you had a difference of opinion.  Reconciled means that where once you were hostile to each other now you are friends and in unity.  There is nothing that separates you.

Ephesians 2:1-3 says, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”  During this time in your life,  you “gratified the cravings of your flesh, followed its desires, and thoughts.”  You “deserved God’s wrath.”

God desired for your hostility to be overcome.  He determined to become your friend.  So, Colossians 1:22 says He “reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Romans 5:10 says, “if, while we (you) were God’s enemies, we (you) were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we (you) be saved through His life!”

Today’s devotional verse says it was your sins that alienated you from God.  They became a barrier between the two of you.  The saving work of Jesus through His perfect life as the man Jesus and His sacrificial death on Calvary’s cross removed your sins and their punishment.  Through Jesus God reconciled you unto Himself “no longer counting your sins and trespasses against you.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

Because of your faith in Jesus, you are God’s friend.  James writes, “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” (James 2:23-24)

Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus, for your reconciling work by which I am no longer God’s enemy but His friend.  Amen.

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; To His feet your tribute bring;

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Evermore His praises sing;

Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.

Praise Him for His grace and favor To His people in distress;

Praise Him still the same as ever, Slow to child and swift to bless;

Alleluia, alleluia! Glorious in His faithfulness.

Father-like He tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame He knows;

In His hand He gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes.

Alleluia, alleluia! Widely yet His mercy flows.

Angels, help us to adore Him; You behold Him face to face;

Sun and moon, bow down before Him,

All who dwell in time and space.

Alleluia, alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace.

(LSB 793)