In our previous study, we looked at the word justification, which comes from a law-court setting, and redemption, which comes from a financial setting. But salvation involves much more than those words can convey. Scripture also uses several other terms. In this study we will examine some of the words that describe our relationship with God and Christ. Before we had faith in Jesus Christ, we were alienated from God, cut off from him.
Reconciliation is a relationship term.
It is another word-picture for the gospel, since reconciliation means to make peace between those who used to be enemies. The gospel tells us that we, who were once enemies of God, are now his friends. God made Jesus, who was sinless, to be sin on our behalf. Jesus' death on the cross makes it possible for our sins to be forgiven, for us to have peace with God, for us to be counted righteous with him, in right relationship with him. The picture is that God has chosen us to be in his family, even though we had no right to be there.