Romans 5:9–10 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 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.
Imagine an individual being distant from you and aggravated with you because you offended and hurt them years ago. At times you’ve been embarrassed and ashamed of what you did, but your pride kept you from attempting to own up to your wrong and make things right. Your knowledge of their disgust with you actually fuels your dislike and distance from them.
Your enemy sends his son to your house in an unexpected gesture of kindness. He comes with a gift card to your favorite restaurant and a note saying his father forgives all and wants to remove the distance between you. You’re shocked, but your heart is joyful with the thought of renewing the friendship. You welcome the invitation. A relationship develops that is warmer and more enjoyable than any relationship you have. Reflecting on the revitalization of your relationship, you are shocked, and you realize how fortunate and enriched you are by your friend’s undeserved kindness.
Contemplating this story, you might think that such things seldom, if ever, happen. But there is a story of reconciliation that goes well beyond this story. It is the account of God’s redeeming love toward us. God sent His Son to pay the penalty for our offense against Him through His Son’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. We experience the restoration of a relationship we could never make right. The righteous anger of God against us is gone for all eternity. God not only removes the reproach of our past, but He also brings us into a relationship with Him, where we are supplied grace upon grace throughout life and eternity.
Every child of God knows the wonder of personal salvation is genuine. We should never feel like we deserve it, nor should we take it for granted. We are blessed and enriched by God’s kindness to us in Jesus Christ. All we can do is say thank you for His incredible gifts while sharing our testimony of the goodness of our God with others.
How glorious it is to be enemies reconciled to God by Jesus!
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