HOW CAN A SINFUL PERSON BE RECONCILED TO A HOLY GOD?

HOW CAN A SINFUL PERSON BE RECONCILED TO A HOLY GOD?

The question of how a sinful person can be reconciled to a holy God is central to Christian theology. The Bible provides a comprehensive answer to this question, emphasizing the nature of God's holiness, the problem of human sin, and the provision of salvation through Jesus Christ. This essay will explore these themes in detail, supported by biblical texts.

1. The Holiness of God

The Bible consistently portrays God as holy, meaning He is utterly pure, righteous, and separate from sin. Isaiah 6:3 describes the seraphim proclaiming, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." This threefold repetition emphasizes the supreme holiness of God. Similarly, 1 Peter 1:16 quotes Leviticus 11:44, stating, "Be holy, because I am holy." God's holiness is the standard by which all human behavior is measured.

2. The Problem of Sin

Humanity, however, falls short of this standard. Romans 3:23 declares, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Sin is any thought, word, or deed that violates God's moral law. The consequences of sin are severe. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death," meaning both physical death and eternal separation from God. Isaiah 59:2 further explains, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear."

3. The Need for Atonement

Because God is holy and just, He cannot simply overlook sin. Justice demands that sin be punished. However, God is also loving and merciful, desiring to reconcile sinners to Himself. This dilemma is resolved through the concept of atonement, which means "at-one-ment" or reconciliation between God and humanity.

In the Old Testament, the sacrificial system provided a temporary means of atonement. Leviticus 17:11 explains, "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life." However, these sacrifices were only a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice to come.

4. The Provision of Jesus Christ

The New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ is the ultimate solution to the problem of sin. John 1:29 describes Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." Jesus' death on the cross serves as the perfect atoning sacrifice. Romans 5:8-9 states, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!"

5. Justification by Faith

The means by which individuals receive the benefits of Christ's atonement is through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 explains, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Faith involves trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, recognizing that one's own efforts are insufficient to achieve righteousness before God.

Romans 3:21-26 elaborates on this concept of justification by faith: "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith."

6. Reconciliation with God

Through faith in Jesus Christ, sinners are reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 declares, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that 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." This reconciliation restores the broken relationship between God and humanity, bringing peace and eternal life.

7. The New Birth and Transformation

Reconciliation with God also involves a transformation of the believer's life. Jesus spoke of the necessity of being "born again" in John 3:3: "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." This new birth is a spiritual regeneration that enables believers to live in a way that pleases God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

8. The Role of Repentance

Repentance is an essential aspect of reconciliation with God. Acts 3:19 urges, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Repentance involves a sincere turning away from sin and a turning toward God, accompanied by a change in behavior.

9. The Assurance of Salvation

Believers can have assurance of their reconciliation with God. 1 John 5:13 states, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." This assurance is based on the promises of God and the finished work of Christ, not on one's own merit.

10. The Call to Proclaim the Message of Reconciliation

Finally, those who have been reconciled to God are called to share the message of reconciliation with others. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 concludes, "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Conclusion

In summary, a sinful person can be reconciled to a holy God through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, received by faith. This reconciliation involves justification, regeneration, repentance, and transformation, leading to eternal life and a restored relationship with God. The biblical texts clearly outline this process, emphasizing God's holiness, the problem of sin, and the provision of salvation through Christ. As believers, we are called to embrace this reconciliation and to proclaim it to the world, inviting others to be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Bishop John U. Ordillo