Title: The Gospel of Reconciliation
In other words, the gospel of the cross is reconciliation (reconciliation), considering that Jesus bore the cross for reconciliation between God and humans, for reconciliation between humans, and for reconciliation with self and conscience. ), and you don't know how important it is to say "reconciliation" or "reconciliation." We are
1. We must be reconciled to God
In this book of Isaiah 59:l, we read, "The Lord's hand is not short, that it cannot save, neither is his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he cannot hear you. that you will not.” Human sin has made us enemies and barriers between God and us, but Jesus was nailed to the cross for our sins and broke down the barriers between God and us. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain that blocked the Holy of Holies and the Holy of Holies in the temple was torn from top to bottom, which means that the wall between God and us was torn down.
Now, when anyone comes to repent of their sins and take up the cross, our God accepts everything. So in Isaiah 1:18, "Come, and let us reason together, says the Lord," says the Lord, "Though your sins are red as scarlet, they shall be as white as wool; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool."
In Ephesians 2:13 it says, “Now you, who were formerly afar off, have been drawn near by the blood of Christ in Christ Jesus.”
In Colossians 1:20 it says, “He took pleasure in reconciling to himself through him all things, things on earth and things in heaven, having accomplished the peace on the cross.” The reason Jesus carried the cross was because he wanted to break down this wall and bring reconciliation between God and us. Therefore, we can be reconciled when we lay down our sins before the cross and receive forgiveness through the merits of the blood.
A young couple in the United States gave birth to a daughter and lived happily ever after, but the child died suddenly. The couple, who returned from a burial, were engulfed in grief and quarreled with each other and ended up getting a divorce. However, although the couple broke up, their longing for their cute daughter grew stronger and they occasionally visited the cemetery. One day, we met in front of the grave of his beloved daughter, each wet with tears, each as his wife and husband as husband. They hugged each other and cried, saying, "We will not live like this, but we will be reconciled with love again, have a cute baby, and live happily ever after, and they reunited and found a bright life." Our relationship with God was blocked, but Jesus died for our sins and we were reconciled on the cross.
2. You must be at peace with your conscience
When we do not achieve reconciliation between ourselves and our conscience, there is no peace in that person's heart. The mind is divided and the mind is divided. When God saves us, he first makes us realize the sins of our conscience through the light of the Holy Spirit, and then gives us the assurance of forgiveness of sins through the blood of the cross. Therefore, we must realize the reconciliation of our conscience by realizing the sins of our conscience and receiving forgiveness through the blood of the cross.
And in order to always move forward on the spiritual path, the path of life, we must listen to the voice of our conscience. God often speaks through our conscience. When the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts, He first makes us realize our sins.
John 16:8 says, "He (the Counselor) will come and convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment." When God saves, it is the first to convince us of our sin and then to believe in the blood of Jesus to lead us to salvation.
Hebrews 9:14 says, "How much more can the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
Do you have any troubles in your conscience? Repent and confess. Then, we can realize our sins, receive forgiveness through the blood of Christ, find peace of conscience, and live under the guidance of God without blocking our fellowship with God.
Hebrews 10:22 says, “Now that we have been sown in our hearts, and have realized the evil of our conscience, and have washed our bodies with pure water, let us come to God with a true heart and complete faith.” This means that communion with God is achieved only when the sins of conscience are washed away. Even if you believe in Jesus and receive salvation, if you still have a remorse of conscience, then your fellowship with God is blocked. It's like a broken phone line.
We cannot lead a spiritual life by ignoring the reproof and reproach of our conscience. In Romans 8:33 and below, it is said, “Who can bring a charge against the elect of God? It is God who justifies; who can condemn?”
It is only when we do not have any hesitation in our conscience to receive answers to our prayers. Therefore, if you have any reluctance in your conscience when you come before God, you must immediately confess and repent. There are many people who live in a conflict between self and conscience. Such a person cannot have fellowship with God.
3. Be at peace with people
You need to know how important it is to be at peace with people. If you can say these things, "I forgive you" and "Forgive me", your fellowship with God will not be blocked.
In Matthew 5:23 we read, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go first, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Make haste with me while there is a way.” It is saying that even if you come to worship and give gifts to God, if there is something to be enmity with and something to be complained about, you need to be reconciled, so that God is pleased with the offering and worship.
Luke 12:58 says, "When you go to the judge with the one who will accuse you, try to be reconciled on the road."
Our religious life should always strive to be reconciled with others. We must not only reconcile ourselves and others, but we must also work to reconcile others with others.
The apostle Paul said that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. However, it is the work of the devil that sets other people apart and causes discord, and such a person cannot be called a child of God. 1 Thessalonians 5:13 says, "Be at peace among yourselves." Proverbs 17:l says, "It is better for a house to be at peace than for a house full of flesh and for contention, even though there is only a piece of dry bread." In Matthew 6:14 it says, “If you forgive men, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men, your Father will not forgive you.” . How terrifying are you? Also, in Ephesians 4:26 and below, it is said, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not let the devil find an opportunity. If we hold on to our resentment and hatred for a long time, we will come under the control of the devil.
Also, if we do not form enemies and reconcile, our prayers will be blocked. So, in Matthew 6, after Jesus spoke about prayer and taught the Lord's Prayer, if you forgive a man's trespasses, God will also forgive your trespasses. You said you don't. If we do not forgive others, we must know that the door of blessing is also blocked. Some people talk about the faults of others over the years. We should try to forgive and forget the faults of others as much as possible. It is said that love covers a multitude of faults, and when you have a heart to hate others, your health is harmed. Spiritual health, mental health, and physical health harm all health.
I knew a man who hated others very much. And my heart was full of revenge.
I couldn't digest it because I wasn't comfortable, and it got worse and worse, resulting in stomach acid and stomach ulcers. After many years, it turned into stomach cancer and died.
I've heard someone say that they can tell that most of those who have been suffering from chronic diseases for a long time are not at ease and are filled with resentment and complaining about others. We should be reconciled to others as much as possible.
The text says, "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind, do not set your heart on high, but rather be lowly, and do not be wise in yourselves Do not return evil for evil to anyone, but do good in the sight of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it is possible for you, be at peace with all men. My beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but leave it to wrath. For it is written, revenge is "I have it, and I will repay, says the Lord. If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him a drink, and you will heap coals of coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." The gospel of the cross is the gospel of reconciliation. It is the gospel that breaks down the barriers between us and God and brings reconciliation and reconciliation between man and man, and between self and conscience.
This morning, dear saints, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will tear down all our walls and carry the cross of reconciliation and die. -Amen-