RECONCILIATION by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 3, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 49.

RECONCILIATION

By G.

ALL devotees of false religion are actuated by the idea that their gods must be propitiated in some way. The heathen imagine that their gods are domineering and autocratic in disposition, and easily provoked; therefore they must be reconciled by offerings or penances of various kinds. Their idea of a god is that it must have the same disposition that they themselves have. When the natural man has the power, he lords it over his fellows. This disposition increases as the degree of his control increases, until he reaches the position of absolute monarch, whose will is law, and before whom all must bow in subservience. See 1 Sam. 8: 10-18.

So the heathen, the natural man, imbibes the notion that a god is simply a great aristocratic, selfish boss, seeking his own pleasure with no regard for the welfare of his subjects. His ideal god is just such a one as he would be if he had the power. And, strange to say, this same idea has an extensive hold among professing Christians concerning the true God. Hence come all the many efforts to enforce “Christian” doctrines and institutions upon the people by civil law. Hence come all the ambitions of many professed Gospel ministers to dominate politics and control the State. Hence comes all the disposition to lord it over God’s heritage, and to establish an aristocratic caste in the church.

But the true God is not like the gods that men have set up, because He is not like men themselves. His ways and thoughts are as high above those of man as heaven is higher than earth. It is not necessary to try to reconcile Him to man; for He has not been unreconciled. It was man who departed from God, and not God from man. Man chose to follow the great rebel leader, Satan, and God has made every possible sacrifice to reconcile the truant, and bring him back to the way of life. All the gods that men set up under the direction of Satan, and all the false theories concerning the Gospel of salvation that have been imposed upon the professed followers of Christ, only lead to death.

Satan is conducting the ministry of estrangement from God, while Christ is leading out in the covenant of reconciliation, which He sealed with His own blood. Here is the testimony of a recognized ambassador: “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 tho God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5: 18-20.