RECONCILE

1. What is the meaning of 'to reconcile'?

a) To reconcile means to restore harmony between persons, especially between God and human beings.

2. What is God doing in respect of reconciliation?

a) God reconciling the world (people) to himself

i) 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NIV)

ii) How? By Christ’s physical body through death.

#1) 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— (Colossians 1:22 NIV)

#2) 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:9-11 NIV)

b) God requires reconciling relationship

i) 23“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23, 24 NIV)

c) God requires reconciling to body and soul

i) Prosper in all things

#1) 1Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (3 John 1:2 NIV)

ii) Prayer for healing

#1) 13Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. 14Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-16 NIV)

d) God reconciling all things to himself

i) 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:19, 20 NIV)

3. Prayer focus

a) Pray for reconciliation of all things on earth back to God our heavenly Father.

b) Pray for reconciliation of relationship, material prosperity and good health for body & soul.