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Reconciliation in the Bible is a concept that touches every aspect of life, from our relationship with God to our interactions with others. It speaks to the restoration of harmony where division once existed, a healing of what was broken. Addressing reconciliation on both a divine and human level, the Word of God invites us to reflect on how sin separates us from God and from one another, and how grace brings restoration.
In this article, we will first discuss why reconciliation is necessary, then move on to how God has reconciled himself to his creation and how we are to show the same grace to our brothers and sisters in Christ to maintain unity in our efforts to fulfill the great commission.
Reconciliation in the Bible
Reconciliation in the Bible deals both with humanity’s reconciliation to God after sin broke our relationship, as well as reconciliation between the relationships of two or more Christians, members of the Kingdom of God.
According to Britannica, reconciliation is ” the act of causing two people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement.”
I think we can all agree that there has been more than just an argument or disagreement between the Heavenly Father and his creation – his sons and his daughters. The sin of Adam and Eve as they disobeyed a direct and very simple command from God caused what is known as the fall, which literally separated us from God for all of eternity, making us enemies of God and condemning us to eternal damnation. So yeah, it’s more than a disagreement.
Adam and Eve were only restricted from one single thing while living in the Garden of Eden in the presence of the Father.
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 2:16-17 (ESV)
All was well until the serpent, who is Satan, came into the garden to convince Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, to which she listened, giving the fruit of the tree to Adam to eat as well. And thus, sin entered the world and the hearts of man as this was blatantly against a direct command from God.
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—”
Romans 5:12 (ESV)
Because God is the Holy of Holies and therefore cannot be in the presence of sin, man could no longer be in relationship with God, and is, in fact, subject to the wrath of God. That is, unless there was a way for reconciliation.
“You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong,”
Habakkuk 1:13a (ESV)
Reconciliation with God
God did not create man just for the fun of it, and He was not content with being separate from them. He wanted to be in an intimate relationship with us forever, living in each other’s presence. So he sent his one and only son to justify his sinful creation so that our relationship may be restored.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:16-17 (ESV)
Reconciliation with God – the good news of the Gospel – is a central theme in the New Testament, highlighting the transformative power of Christ’s work to restore our relationship with Him. At its core, reconciliation refers to the restoration of a broken relationship. Because of people’s sins, humanity has been alienated from God, but through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God offers us the gift of being brought back into fellowship with Him.
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of true reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (ESV)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
In this convicting piece of God’s Word, the Apostle Paul explains that through the blood of Christ, God has reconciled the world to Himself, not counting our sins against us. This reconciliation is a divine initiative, entirely a gift of grace, and through it, we become ambassadors, Christ’s ambassadors, tasked with sharing the message of Christ’s love and redemption to the rest of the world.
“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 5:10 (ESV)
Romans 5 emphasizes the depth of the love of God by reminding us that this reconciliation occurred while we were still God’s enemies. Our sin placed us in opposition to God, but through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the barrier of sin was removed, opening the way for peace and reconciliation.
This reconciliation is not a mere truce but a complete transformation of our hearts. We are not only forgiven but also saved by Christ’s life, which continues to work in us, bringing us into a deeper, restored relationship with God as we walk the earth as a new creation.
“And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,”
Colossians 1:20-22 (ESV)
Again, the Apostle Paul points to the cosmic scope of Christ’s reconciling work, noting that through the death of Christ’s physical body on the cross, He has reconciled “all things,” both on earth and in heaven. This reconciliation goes beyond just humanity; it encompasses the entirety of creation. For believers, it means that we are no longer separated from God but are presented as holy and blameless before Him – justified.
Christ’s sacrifice makes us completely new, removing the hostility caused by sin and restoring peace between us and God. This reconciliation is both a profound personal transformation and part of God’s larger plan to redeem and restore all of creation back to its original, harmonious design.
Reconciliation with others
Reconciliation in the Bible does not end there though. Because of the loving grace we were given by God through Christ Jesus, we are to offer the same to our brother’s and sisters. Unity in the body of Christ, both the local and the world wide church, is essential to the advancing of the Gospel, which is our calling as Christ’s ambassadors.
Reconciliation with others is a foundational aspect of Christian living, rooted in the forgiveness we have received from God through Christ.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
In this chapter of Ephesians, Paul urges the church at Ephesus to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving toward one another, mirroring God’s forgiveness extended to us in Christ Jesus. This call to forgiveness is not conditional; it reflects the unearned grace we have received. Just as God did not withhold forgiveness when we were undeserving, we are to extend that same grace to others, fostering a spirit of compassion and reconciliation in our relationships.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
Matthew 18:15-17 (ESV)
This passage, often referred to as church discipline, offers a practical guide, step by step instruction, for the best way to achieve reconciliation when conflicts arise, specifically within the church. This is one of many very powerful and practical teachings of Jesus. Jesus instructs us to first approach the person who has wronged us in private, seeking to resolve the matter directly and quickly.
This process prioritizes the restoration of the previously damaged relationship rather than public shaming. If the individual is unresponsive, involving others or, in extreme cases, the broader church may be necessary. However, the goal remains the same: winning back a brother or sister in Christ. Jesus’ teaching highlights the importance of patience, persistence, and a commitment to unity in addressing personal offenses – all characteristics God expressed in His reconciliation with us.
“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,”
Luke 17:3 (ESV)
Adding to the instructions in Matthew, Jesus commands that we rebuke those who sin against us but also stresses the need to forgive if they repent. This balance between confrontation and forgiveness is vital in Christian relationships. While it is essential to address wrongdoing for the sake of accountability, the ultimate aim is reconciliation, not division. Forgiveness should be readily given when there is repentance, echoing the gracious way God forgives us when we turn back to Him.
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Colossians 3:13 (ESV)
Finally, Colossians 3 underscores that forgiveness in our relationships is not optional—it is a direct reflection of the forgiveness we have received. Reconciliation is a powerful act of love that heals wounds, restores unity, and mirrors the heart of God. When we choose to forgive and seek peace with others (even when our flesh does not want to), we participate in the ministry of reconciliation that God has entrusted to us.
Acting out biblical reconciliation in our daily lives is hard work, as we fight with fleshly thoughts and emotions, but through the Holy Spirit, the power of God in us, unity can and will be achieved, and the good news of the Gospel will be spread to the ends of the earth.
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Additional Scripture for Study
Here are some additional verses relevant to reconciliation in the Bible for extra studying on the topic:
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”
Matthew 5:23-26 (ESV)
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1 (ESV)
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Mark 11:25 (ESV)
You may enjoy this video on the difference between reconciliation in the Bible and forgiveness:
Or one of these recommended resources for further study:
Forgiveness & Reconciliation: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life by Hendrickson Publishers
Forgiving and Reconciling: Bridges to Wholeness and Hope by Everett L. Worthington
FORGIVENESS vs RECONCILIATION: Balancing Mercy and Justice through the Teachings of Christ by Charisse D. Rubio
ESV – “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”