“For in Him [Jesus] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross (Colossians 1: 19-20). Looking at the English word “reconcile,” we would think that it would mean to return to a former state of peace. However, as it is used in scripture, God through Jesus is accomplishing a new thing between God and man. Because of God’s inherent justice and the rebellious nature of mankind, a change in mankind was needed before reconciliation could happen.  Otherwise God’s wrath would have destroyed him. Through Jesus’ death in our behalf, God laid aside His wrath and all things were reconciled to Him.

The meaning of the root Greek word for reconciliation is “change.” In His abundant grace, God provides the change in man needed for reconciliation with Himself. If that is the operative word in reconciliation between God and man, how much more so is it needed– man to man? There is enough grace to cover the needed change! Therefore, warring tribes can be reconciled, divorcing couples can be brought back together, racial divides can dissolve—not to a good relationship they formerly enjoyed, but to a new peace through Christ.