Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Romans 5:9-10 (ESV)
While listening to Brother Brian Key preach the Good Friday service at Imago Dei Church, I was struck with the contrast between the work of justification and reconciliation in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Justification is a legal term, the removal of guilt. I picture a courtroom where a person accused of a crime is acquitted of the crime. It’s a removal of wrath, but there’s no relationship component. It is a return to neutral in our stance before God, but there’s no movement in our distance from God. If we only received justification from God in the saving work of Christ, we might no longer deserve hell, but we would not be looking forward to an eternity spent with our Creator.
Reconciliation is a relationship restoration. It is not only forgiving the thief, it is bringing the thief in and making them part of the family from which they stole. Paul calls us enemies of God; this is the natural state of man. While we were still in this state of animosity and rebellion, we were made right in our relationship with God through the sacrifice of Christ. Our hearts are renewed so we can respond with love towards the God that loves and gave His Son for us. We are given a place as an adopted child of God, brought in as a co-heir with Christ. We look forward to the day in which we fellowship with the God that loves us and reconciled us to Himself.