03/10/18 TWO INTERESTING PASSAGES ON RECONCILIATION
(Two Interesting Passages, in conjunction with my previous post.)
(Two Interesting Passages, in conjunction with my previous post.)
DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT BIBLICAL RECONCILIATION (and don't read just a part of it. READ THE WHOLE THING).
The easy, yet unBiblical way to effect reconciliation with those who are divisive and corrupting influences is to "be loving," and "be forgiving." Well, how can you argue with love and forgiveness?
You can't.
But notice, I put these two concepts in quotes, because there are conditions to reconciliation, other than forgiveness and love.
The offended one needs to be forgiving and be loving, but that is not reconciliation. In fact, if all that a church or a believer offers or requires is their own love and forgiveness to the offender, then it is unloving and robs the offender of true forgiveness.
Reconciliation only takes place when the offender honestly faces, and has true contrition for his/her sins of divisiveness and corruption. The offender needs to confess his sins, repent (turn from his sins), make restitution with the offended and injured people (when possible).
The provision of love, forgiveness and reconciliation is NOT A ONE WAY STREET, even with God. God gave His Son to reconcile all sinners who meet His conditions. Any reconciliation that does not include the offender doing his Divinely required part, IS NOT BIBLICAL RECONCILIATION.
RECONCILIATION REQUIRES RESPONSE from REBELLIOUS
Notice in this 2 Corinthian passage that Paul said God had reconciled US to Himself by Jesus Christ (vs, 18). The "us" is used in reference to the believers, the followers, those who obeyed God in following Biblical directives for salvation. We know that the "us" does not refer to all people, because the reconciled ones are "given the ministry of reconciliation" (vs. 18), and God has "committed to us the word of reconciliation" (vs. 19), and now we, as ambassadors for Christ, beseech others, "IN CHRIST'S STEAD, BE YE RECONCILED TO GOD" (vs. 20). Those who are yet unreconciled need to follow God's steps of reconciliation in order to be reconciled.
To offer reconciliation as a one sided, love and forgiveness is to lie about the truth and to damn the unreconciled to a false hope and a hopeless eternity.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
SOME PEOPLE REFUSE TO BE RECONCILED AND MUST BE DEALT WITH BIBLICALLY.
Notice in this 2 Timothy passage that Paul names a person who has done much harm to Paul and his ministry. I believe Paul mentioned him by name because Alexander had not changed from the destructive, divisive, corruptor that had caused Paul "much harm" (vs.14). Alexander continued to resist and reject the conciliatory overtures of Paul (vs. 15), therefore Paul warned believers to beware of Alexander, since he was still a danger to the body of Christ (vs 15). DON'T MISS THIS, Paul was WARNING CHRISITANS ABOUT A PERSON WHO CONTINUED TO BE DIVISIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE TO THE WORK OF GOD.
Paul was not being vindictive or mean spirited or petty. Paul was teaching the Church and warning his readers concerning the dangers of harmful, evil people. But Paul was also being fair. Paul wanted God to reward Alexander according his works (vs. 14). Paul was not pulling punches on this situation either. In fact, Paul had turned Alexander over to the devil, so that he might learn not to blaspheme (1 Timothy 1:20), which is to speak against God, His word, His works and His people. THIS IS HOW SERIOUS IT WAS. Still, Paul allowed the possibility of Alexander having a change of heart. In either case, Paul wanted God to judge and deal with Alexander according to his works.
CHEAP FORGIVENESS AND CARNAL LOVE DOES NOT SAVE ANYONE. "Love" that sidesteps the steps of restoration in the revealed word of God is selfish and damning, because it is love of ease rather than love of truth; it is love of personal satisfaction rather than love of Divine reconciliation.
Whatever Alexander said about Paul caused great division between Paul and his friends, his co-workers, his supporters (vs 16). Paul continued to love and hope the best for those who betrayed, abandoned and even spoke against him, but that did not mean Paul was in fellowship with those who had turned against him (vs. 16).
Although Paul lost friends, reputation and ministry opportunities because of the false attacks by Alexander, God was with him and he was personally strengthened by God. Paul continued to preach and teach the truth so that others would be informed and redeemed. (vs. 17). It is reasonable that some people even used Paul's own words against him as they claimed to preach salvation, though attacking Paul, based on the lies of Alexander.
From other passages in the Scriptures, along with this passage, we see that the words, the gossip, the lies of people are destructive. In spite of the fact that Alexander had corrupted others and influenced them to turn against Paul, Paul also recognized that God had "delivered him out of the mouth of the lion" (vs. 17). Some believe that "the lion" is a reference to Nero or some other person who would have killed Paul. I guess that could be true. However, the passage is talking about the wicked division and attacks of Alexander, whose words had a killing result. We should also remember that Satan goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. I think the "mouth of the lion" is a reference to Satan, as well as those who spoke in Satan's behalf. Remember, Jesus referred to Peter as Satan when Peter tried to persuade Jesus to not go to the cross. Jesus said to Peter "get thee behind me Satan, for you are an offense to me, for you do not savor the things that are of God, but the things that are of men."
Paul said,
2 Timothy 4:14-17
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Do not take divisiveness lightly. God does not.
Do not discount the possibility of reconciliation.
Do not shortcut God's required way of reconciliation.
