RECONCILED TO GOD by W. N. Glenn

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 25, 1880

RECONCILED TO GOD.

By W. N. Glenn

BY W. N. GLENN.

WHAT a thought! What could be more expressive of infinite forbearance and solicitude than the idea of the great and good Creator beseeching the sinful, rebellious creature to become reconciled to him. We can readily conceive how appropriately the sinner might implore the reconciliation of an offended God; but that the offending party should be made also the privileged party, is almost beyond human comprehension. How is it with reconciliation between man and man—the human code of honor, so to speak? With rare exception, and that where parental or filial love is unusually strong, the party offended is the one to be reconciled. For an individual to wantonly insult and dishonor even an equal, and then the injured one be expected to beg his enemy for reconciliation, would ordinarily be deemed absurd, from a merely human standpoint. But see how much higher and nobler, yet more condescending, are God's ways than man's.

When man traitorously surrendered to the enemy the dominion which God had entrusted to his care, the pitying Father immediately began entreating the erring race to be reconciled to him. And notwithstanding for thousands of years the heavenly messages have been spurned and the messengers mocked and slain, not excepting the Son of God himself, he still beseeches us to be reconciled.

Paul expresses it thus: "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." 2 Cor. 5:18-20.

Truly "the peace of God passeth all understanding."