Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from The Book of Luke, and the topic of our conversation will be about reconciliation.
First of all, reconciliation is defined as restoring a close relationship between people who were once in opposition toward each other. It is to bring back to the former condition and relationship that you had with them in the past. Everyone in their heart knows the way that they have treated others, and their consciences before God, bear witness to that fact. If you have treated someone in a manner that you would never want to be treated yourself, then you have sinned against them, and repentance and reconciliation is required. What needs to be done is taking a walk in their shoes, and seeing how you would feel if the same things had been done to you. After all, look at what was done to our Lord Jesus Christ when He was murdered on the cross. Look at what happened to Steven when he was stoned without mercy. Look at what happened to the Apostles and Prophets of the Lord, as they suffered at the hands of the wicked. Reconciliation is commanded in the Christian faith, but it cannot happen without first coming to the realization of the error of your way, and being humble enough to right the wrong. This is exactly what took place in the life of the prodigal Son, when he finally recognized his own fault, and took the appropriate steps to correct the things that he had had done.
Luke 15:11-32 And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf..And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
One of the main reasons why people don’t reconcile with God or with others is because of their own pride. Pride doesn’t want not want to admit fault or confess their sins. Pride does not want to humble itself with a contrite and penitent heart. Pride doesn’t want to submit to the will of God. Pride will absolutely refuse to seek reconciliation, and because of this, it will have devastating effects in one’s life. Without Godly sorrow and repentance, the consequences will be severe, resulting in pain, suffering and eternal punishment in an everlasting lake of fire.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Reconciliation is a huge part of the Christian Life. It is so important that if you have treated somebody else in a manner that you could not imagine them doing to you, then you need to repent and seek reconciliation with them before bringing any type of gift to the church.
Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
No matter what sins might be committed in a marriage, divorces are forbidden for Christians in the New Testament. A wife is scripturally forbidden from leaving her own husband, and when she runs off on her marriage, and even takes his own children from his presence, she is an offense not only to her own husband, but the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. Everyday that passes without reconciliation with him, is another violation of the command of Christ. This is because it is perpetual sinful behavior, caused by their own bitterness, pride, and impenitent heart. Repentance is required by everybody, including a disobedient wife.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
Each of us can be reconciled with the Heavenly Father, when we come to Christ Jesus for forgiveness. Reconciliation is available to all, but repentance is required towards God and others. Wives who have left their husbands must return to them. Children who have run away from home, need to return. Sinners who have gone astray, must return to the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. People must turn away from their error of their sins, and be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Remember this morning that before reconciliation can happen, pride must be shattered, like a vessel that is broken and humble before God. It’s turning around and heading back home to God, just like the lesson learned, by……
…….The Prodigal Son
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.❤️
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