Life creates friends and enemies. Movies are made of the most epic friendships and enemies. Stories are told of war and the bond of brothers who fight enemies both physical and psychological. But even normal people like myself find that some relationships become estranged or alienated for minor reasons. Family relationships seem to be the effected for me. Why all the walking around on egg shells and not dealing with the situation because someone was hurt? Most of these hurts start unintentionally. I have done my best to reconcile hurts and slights that I have stumbled into but sometimes that is not enough so the relationship remains estranged and broken. I forgive and I move on with my life ready to restart the relationship if the other parties are ready.

My poor choices and selfish desires have also caused a rift between myself and the Creator. Paul in his letter to the Roman church states that my sins are greater than just a rift.

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Romans 5:8-10 ESV

My choices and life have made me an “enemy” to God. I have destroyed the relationship and walked away from him. I have crossed the line and joined into a camp if not at war with God then ready to be at war. It is a harsh word to call someone an enemy but that is how God views the situation and my actions toward him and others demonstrate it is justified. The situation is epic and greater than any Hollywood movie could ever depict.

God however does something unexpected. Instead of treating me like an enemy He confronts the situation head on and he harbors no ill will. In fact God’s perfect love is demonstrated in the fact that he dies on a cross for me while we were still enemies and sinners. God covers over the offence. God restores me. Paul uses the word “reconciled” to describe what God has done. God’s love reconciled his enemies and no longer are they called enemies but sons and daughters is the plot line of this epic story.

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV

God has done all the work. He has opened lines of communication. He has paid the price that justice demands. He has bridged the gulf of separation. If he would do this for us when we were enemies then now that we are reconciled how much more will he do? If you have not come home to Him and rejoined the family as a child of the one true Father then now is your time. One can state it no better than Paul does here “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God”.

If you enjoyed this then click the like button, leave a comment, or ask a question! Also if you are interested in this Letter to church in Roman (written by Paul) then start at the beginning in Romans Chapter 1 Faith Recognized.