What does it mean to be reconciled? What causes us to be enemies alienated from God? What has God done to achieve our forgiveness and what must we do to receive it? What should we do when sin alienates us from other Christians? How important are communication and forgiveness?
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Introduction:
The story of Joseph and his brothers is a bittersweet story about reconciliation. Because of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him but instead sold him as a slave into Egypt.
Years later, by God’s providence, Joseph became governor of Egypt. His brothers came to Egypt to buy food during a famine. They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them and went to great lengths to test them to see if they had changed. Eventually he made himself known to them and they were reconciled.
The Bible has much to say about reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – “Be ye reconciled to God.”
To “reconcile” means to “exchange … hostility for a friendly relationship” – Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich. Sin alienates or separates people from God. We need to cease being God’s enemies and develop peace. The gospel plan to achieve this is called “the word of reconciliation.”
Sometimes people become alienated from other people. They become enemies, no longer in friendly relations. They too need to be reconciled.
The purpose of this lesson is to study God’s plan for reconciliation.
God has a plan to reconcile people to God and a plan to reconcile people to people.
