Nick Bibile
The author of reconciliation is God Himself. Reconciliation was executed by Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and men. When Christ came, He took upon Himself the punishment due to our sins and satisfied the justice of God by the blood of His cross.
“Reconciliation is not God laying aside His justice, but God satisfying His justice in Christ.”
— John Owen
“God was reconciled to us by the death of His Son, not by overlooking sin, but by punishing it fully in our Surety.”
— Thomas Goodwin
Scripture teaches that reconciliation is not initiated by man, but by God (2 Corinthians 5:18–19). Man does not make peace with God; God makes peace through Christ.
Last week, we saw that many believe—and commonly say while witnessing—“God loves you.” Yet we also saw that this idea, when applied universally and without qualification, is contrary to Scripture.
Why do so many fail to see this even when shown plainly from the Bible? I believe it is because the foundations of Christian doctrine are not being taught.
Many flock to churches not to hear about God, sin, holiness, judgment, or reconciliation—but to hear something practical, motivational, and comforting. People are told to improve their lives, to remove bad habits, and to be “better people.” This produces the common but unbiblical idea: “God loves the sinner and hates the sin.”
Scripture does not speak this way.
If the basics are not taught, there is no way to understand the enmity between God and the sinner.
“Till sin be seen in its own colours, Christ will not be prized.”
— Thomas Watson
Psalm 90:11
Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
God is the supreme righteous Judge of the world. A judge must judge according to law. All men have violated the moral law of God—the Ten Commandments. Therefore, the righteous Judge is angry with the sinner.
Sinners are not neutral toward God. They are described in Scripture as traitors, enemies, and rebels against Him. God is not pleased with sinners but is displeased with them. There is nothing morally good in fallen man; even complaining against God is sin.
Numbers 11:1
And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD… and his anger was kindled.
Idolatry does not merely displease God—it provokes Him to anger.
Judges 2:12
And they forsook the LORD… and provoked the LORD to anger.
Why is God angry with sinners? Because sin is the transgression of God’s law, and sinners daily violate that law.
Isaiah 5:24–25 shows that God’s anger is not arbitrary but judicial—rooted in despising His Word and law.
“God’s anger is not a passion, but a perfection; it is the holy reaction of His righteousness against sin.”
— Stephen Charnock
Many attend church believing God will judge them by their good works. They do not want a God of wrath, but only a God of love—because their hearts are filled with pride.
Proverbs 21:4
An high look, and a proud heart… is sin.
Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination.
There is also a popular teaching that says God wants everyone healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. People see sinners enjoying life and conclude that God is not angry with them.
Job 21:9–13 clearly shows that the wicked often prosper—but only temporarily.
“The prosperity of the wicked is but a smooth path to hell.”
— John Trapp
Their pleasure is momentary; their judgment is eternal.
Deuteronomy 29:20 warns of God’s unrelenting wrath against unrepentant sinners.
Many churches today speak constantly of the rapture and end-times, while neglecting reconciliation, repentance, and justification. Their theology is centered on eschatology instead of soteriology.
This is no different from the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Matthew 3:7
O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
No one likes to hear about the wrath of God, yet this was John the Baptist’s message. A sugar-coated gospel will never awaken sinners.
“The law must prepare the soul for Christ, or else Christ will be but slightly valued.”
— Richard Sibbes
Law of God → Conviction → Repentance → Christ
Galatians 3:24
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ…
The law exposes our self-righteousness and shows our inability to satisfy God’s justice. Christ alone fulfilled the law for us.
Ephesians 2:1–3 shows that even the elect were once dead in sins and children of wrath—just like others.
Ephesians 2:4
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…
Mercy is not owed; it is freely given by grace.
“Grace is free because God is sovereign.”
— Arthur Pink
Ephesians 2:8 confirms salvation is entirely a gift of God.
Reconciliation is possible only through Christ, the true ladder between heaven and earth.
Genesis 28:12 points forward to Christ.
John 1:51 confirms its fulfillment in Him.
Christ’s human nature reaches man; His divine nature reaches God.
“Christ is the daysman who lays His hand upon both God and man.”
— Matthew Henry
Romans 5:10
When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.
Reconciliation is costly—it required the blood of God’s own Son.
Ephesians 2:16
Having slain the enmity thereby.
Colossians 1:20–22 shows the result: peace replaces enmity.
Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God…
This peace removes fear and gives assurance.
John 14:27
John 16:33
True peace is confirmed by the Spirit of adoption.
Romans 8:14–16
The Spirit leads believers away from sin and toward holiness, creating growth, hunger for God’s Word, and love for truth.
“Where the Spirit dwells, He mortifies sin and quickens holiness.”
— John Owen
Satan, on the other hand, leads men into continued sin and false doctrine.
The more clearly we see the enmity, the more deeply we rejoice in reconciliation.
The law exposes our guilt.
Christ satisfies divine justice.
Grace brings peace.
And God alone receives the glory.