25. Beyond Forgiveness: Reconciliation

Today on the podcast Mark takes us beyond forgiveness, into reconciliation. While forgiveness is something one person can do on their own, reconciliation requires the one who forgives to desire reconciliation and the one who was forgiven to act.

This perfectly mirrors how Christ freely forgave us through is actions on the cross, yet to receive reconciliation, we must accept this forgiveness by believing in Him, repenting of our sins, and therefore being reconciled to him.

Forgiveness Intro:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeeT18Fz3zo

Forgiveness Deep Dive Part 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dctGKagHV8A

Forgiveness Deep Dive Part 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct5YwlkshCQ

Mark also referenced the following scriptures in today’s episode:

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 NIV

18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.

2 Corinthians 5:11a

11Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others

2 Corinthians 5:17

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

1 Peter 2:21

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered[a] for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

Romans 5:10

For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!