10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
V. 10 - This verse is an “If-Then” statement. Simply, the sentence is “If we have been reconciled, then we shall be saved.” The prepositional phrases, ‘while...’, ‘to...’, ‘through...’, ‘by...’ add depth and clarity but do not change the basic message.
“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God” - Starting a sentence with “For” should get us thinking that the following is based on a previous statement or conclusion. (The late Dr. J. Vernon McGee used to say something like, “We need to see what the for is there for.” ) The conclusion in verse 9 is that we are saved from the wrath of God - that is, we are saved from serving the sentence against us for sin. That sentence is eternal separation from God - the scripture calls this the ‘second death’.
How is it that we were, or are, enemies of God? Do we think we can reject God and His offer of salvation through Jesus and still be His friends? Can we decide to not believe in God, and be either neutral to Him, or not enemies? Can we be agnostic, theoretically neutral towards God?
I think the problem is we don’t take God seriously. Because He is not “in-your-face”, we imagine everything is OK. We deceive ourselves! God is a jealous God, unwilling to share His glory with any other. (See: Exo. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 4:24) There is no neutral. Jesus phrased it, “For he who is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:40) It is black or white, with no shades of grey. This is part of the spiritual battle that continues around us. Satan opposes God, even tried to supplant Him. (See: Acts 13:10) Satan’s domain is the world. To be friends of the world means to be against the Lord. (See: Jam. 4:4) The flesh (world) is hostile to God. (Rom. 8:7) The hostility goes both directions: our mind and actions are hostile to God, death and separation from God is hostile to us. (See: Col. 1:21, 2:14)
“Reconciled to God” - When you get into a disagreement with a family member or a friend, and then resolve the issue, it can be said you have been reconciled. You have gone from “enemies’ to “friends”. This is being “reconciled with...” God has reconciled us to Him.
“through the death of His Son” - We did not do this. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son did it. See: “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). Also: “knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.“ (1 Peter 1:18-19 ) And, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 )
“we shall be saved by His life” - Both Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection are necessary for our salvation. These two cannot be separated; they are inextricably connected. Just as the sacrificial rules cannot be separated from the Old (Mosaic) Covenant, the resurrection is as vital to our faith as is the crucifixion. It is possible, if not easy, to understand the sacrifices of the OT are a ‘type’ pointing to the New Covenant. It is not our efforts that turn back sin, but the blood of the sacrifice that is effectual. Resurrection as a fundamental is more difficult to see.
The resurrection of Jesus to life is our proof that His death was THE acceptable sacrifice for the sins of the world. Think on this: if Jesus is not resurrected to eternal life, how would we KNOW? That is: if Jesus is not resurrected and witnessed, what proof do we have that we can join Him to live with God the Father? Does it make a difference if we KNOW or not?
Did it make a difference to His disciples?
- They were denying him and hiding in a locked room (See: Matt. 26:70; John 20:19).
- After Easter Morning, they were told He is Risen, yet they were doubtful (See: Matt. 28:17; Mark 16:10-14; Luk. 24:11).
- The reality started to sink in (See: Mark 16:20; Luk. 24:36, 43-46)
- They believed, were filled with Holy Spirit, and preached with great joy, sometimes in defiance of the authorities. (See: Luk. 24:52; Acts 1:3; 2:22-25, 38-39; 4:18-20)
- John reminds us he witnessed these things. (John 21:24)
What a turn-around; what a difference! Quaking and cowering to “We must obey God rather than men!” ***
V. 11 - “And not only this” - God has given us reconciliation and eternal life. We get to give glory to God, because what our Lord Jesus Christ did, and because He lives in us. We can rejoice, for His joy is ours (See: John 15:11; 16:24; 17:13).
“we have now received the reconciliation.” - We received it. We did not earn it. Reconciliation is a gift, not wages earned.
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