The Need To Be Reconciled To God....

One of life's most pleasant experiences is to make peace with a former enemy! When the barrier that brought the hostility is removed, there's a sense of joy and release. It's a wonderful thing when a former enemy becomes a friend. Although many people don't realize it, they are at odds with the worse enemy imaginable: the living God! Our sin means that outside of Jesus Christ, we are enemies of God. The Bible says that all who are outside of Christ are spiritually dead, living under the power and oppressive control of the world system, the devil, and the flesh, by nature under God's holy wrath against sin (Ephesians 2:1-2). Paul's letter to the Christ followers at Rome says to us, "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Romans 5:10). In other words, if we're not reconciled to God, we will face eternal judgment when we die. Being alienated from God should cause far more anxiety than any human conflict! God's enemies desperately need to be reconciled (made friendly) to Him. You may be thinking, "Now hold on just a minute! I have never been hostile toward God. I've never been alienated from God! I've never hated God! I have never been an enemy of God!" But in faithfulness to the inspired Word of God, I must say that if you feel that those words are too harsh, you have not yet come to know your own heart in the sight of God! Apostle Paul said to the church at Colossae, "And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds" (Colossians 1:21). The Greek word translated "hostile," means "hateful!" Cry out to the God who created you! Cry out to the God who's already made the first move toward reconciling you to Himself! He's removed the barrier that brought on the hostility. He's done this through the cross of Jesus Christ. He's done what you never could do for your self! "Having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Reconciliation; don't leave this world without it! Your move. Be encouraged!