On account of sin, people are alienated from God and cut off from fellowship with him. Through Jesus Christ, God reconciles the world to himself, breaking down the barriers of hostility and estrangement.
A broken relationship through sin brings alienation from God
Isaiah 59:2 See also Genesis 3:23–24 the expulsion from Eden; Genesis 4:13–14 Cain's alienation from God; Isaiah 48:22, Isaiah 64:7; Jeremiah 33:5; Luke 18:13 the tax collector's prayer for mercy; Romans 5:10, Romans 8:7; Ephesians 2:1–3, Ephesians 2:12, Ephesians 4:18; Colossians 1:21; James 4:4
But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.
God takes the initiative in bringing about reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:18–19 See also Romans 5:6–8; Galatians 4:4–5; Ephesians 2:4–5; 1 John 4:10
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 men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
The means of reconciliation is the death of Jesus Christ
Romans 5:6 See also 2 Corinthians 5:18–19, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:13, Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20
For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
The results of reconciliation are both personal and universal
Peace with God
Romans 5:1 See also Acts 10:36–46; Ephesians 2:14–19; Colossians 1:21–22
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Access to God
Romans 5:2 See also Ephesians 2:18, Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:19–22
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Adoption as God's children
Romans 8:15–16; Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:4–6; 1 John 3:1–2
Peacemaking throughout the universe
Colossians 1:20 See also Romans 11:15; Ephesians 1:7–10, Ephesians 1:22–23
and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.
Believers are to be the ambassadors of reconciliation
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 men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.