Day 157

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 5.

“...procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father has given unto Him.“

Scripture Lookup

John 17:2

Hebrews 9:15

Reflection

Have you ever heard “I forgive you,” from someone, and wondered if they really meant it?

Too often those words mean that your relationship with that person is over. They move on, and there is no chance to rebuild or reconcile. Such actions make you question if the forgiveness given was merely the offended taking the moral high ground.

Such behavior from humans can make you wonder, “What about God?”

While He says He forgives sinners, will He continue to be there each time we confess our sin? Will He become distant, no matter how penitent we are? What kind of a relationship will we continue to have when He realizes that we are vile?

For the answers, look at Jesus.

Jesus’ perfect offering of Himself has procured reconciliation. It is not a matter of God saying “I forgive you” and then having nothing more to do with you. When He pardons you, He will never leave you or forsake you. He loves you, cares for you, and conforms you to the image of His Son, the One who never sinned and always did the will of His Father.

If you are His, then God does not give up and move on from you. In fact, He adopts you as His son! We enjoy the privileges and liberties of being children of God! The Confession tells of it this way: “[the elect]…are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by him, as by a Father; yet never cast off” (LBCF Ch.12, italics added.) In fact, far from casting us off, Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us; He awaits our arrival! This inheritance He has purchased is eternal. It will not change. He is with you ’til the end.

“Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a Friend!”

Questions to Consider

• Is it hard for you to accept that if you are in Christ, you are reconciled to God?