I hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew!
I thought the quote in Preston's writings would be easier to find, but
I didn't consider how long ago I read it, and quoted it for an essay I
was writing at the time. I also didn't consider the volume of writings
that I have of his that I would have to wade through to find it. I will
continue to keep my eye out for the article it was quoted from, but I have
included in the mean time, the writing in part, that I did with the quote
from Preston's writing I was refering to, included in it. I hope that helps.
Blessings to you with a red face, *****.
The truth about the Good News, to which we have been given
the ministry of proclaiming to all nations is that: God has made a way
for all men to be reconciled to Himself. "And all things are of God, who
hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given us the ministry
of reconciliation." (II Cor. 5:18) A proper understanding of what is meant
by reconciliation will enlighten our understanding of the Gospel, and enable
us to marvel with awe-struck praise at the glorious plan and purpose of
our God.
Perhaps there are few truths contained in Holy Writ more
glorious than that of the reconciliation between God and man. A priceless
find of divine insights into the nature of God are discovered within a
right knowledge of this truth. I would even venture to say, without fear
of overstatement, that a right understanding of this reconciliation process
is a pivotal foundation upon which many other biblical truths stand or
fall. Even before that first crime of disobedience in the garden of Eden
plunging all mankind into death, and a state of enmity with the Creator,
our Sovereign God had planned and purposed the outcome. The truth of God
reconciling all mankind being back to Himself is the purposed outcome,
and is at the very heart of the Gospel. "For of Him, and through Him, and
to Him, are all things. (Rom. 11:36).
The dictionary, in part, defines reconcile as: "1. To
bring back to friendship after estrangement. 2. To settle or adjust as
a quarrel."
For a Greek definition, and explanation of its usage,
please permit me to quote from the writings of a recent study by noted
bible teacher, Preston Eby on this topic. (quote) "You will notice that
the Concordant Literal Translation has changed the wording from reconciliation
to conciliation. (II Cor. 5:19) This needs some explanation. There are
two Greek words, both of which the K.J.V. has translated reconciliation:
KATALLASO and APOKATALLASO. They are related, but slightly different.
If two people are separated by some dispute, they need
to be reconciled to each other. But if just one of those people takes it
upon himself to drop the case, and forgive the other...a conciliation has
just occurred. A conciliation is a one-sided peace, done outside the will
or knowledge of the second party...He who has conciliated his brother then
sends his ambassador with the white flag of truce to sue for peace, to
beg the other to conciliate in return. If he does so, then it is two-sided
-- it is a re-conciliation. Other scriptures show irrefutably that God
will bring the issue to a successful conclusion -- all men will be reconciled
to God. The conciliation will become a reconciliation. Hallelujah!" (End
quote.)
If we only grasp this one truth: "God was in Christ reconciling
the world unto Himself not imputing their trespasses against them" it will
revolutionize our understanding of the love God has for all men. For many,
the concept of who God is, and what He is like, is presented as unapproachable.
He is a God untouched, and uncaring about the troubles of men. He is the
God Moses met on the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. A God full
of anger and wrath, and judgment. He is seen to be Holy, but unmerciful,
unloving, and ready to condemn for eternal punishment and torture any who
cross Him. For these ones God is to be placated and pacified with fearful
reverence.
Oh, how they need to hear, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING
THE WORLD! They who teach God abandoned Jesus on the cross because He could
not look at the sin Jesus bore on our behalf, need to hear it; GOD WAS
IN CHRIST! They who teach an exclusive gospel, (us four and no more) need
to hear; God was NOT IMPUTING THE WORLD’S TRESPASSES AGAINST THEM. In other
words God was not laying to the world’s charge, their own wrong doings.
Even when we were all deep in the pit of our trespasses and sins, and at
enmity with God, and enemies of the cross; God so loved the world that
He sent His Son to destroy the works of the Devil, and to set the world
free, for all to be reconciled back to Himself. It is not that all can
be, but some will not be reconciled. HEAR THIS: God will reconcile the
world. "For as in Adam ALL die so also in Christ shall ALL be made alive.
But EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER." (I Cor. 15:22,23)
It is this; "every man in his own order" that if missed,
brings confusion about God’s purpose. How can every man be reconciled,
when we know there are many who die, clearly rejecting the salvation of
God? To that I ask, where is it written God’s Grace ends with death? Did
not Jesus conquer death and hell? Did not Jesus win the victory over the
grave, and remove the sting of death? Then think about it. If death is
beyond the reach of God’s Grace, then death has more power than Grace.
If God is powerless to forgive sin even in death, then sin is greater than
God’s power. The fact is, Jesus was the "lamb of God which taketh away
the sin of the world." (John 1:29) Jesus was the sin offering of the world
to satisfy the justice of God. God put sin to death in Jesus on the cross.
Jesus died once, and for all, and His death is sufficient for all sin,
for all men, for all time!
We know it is not in our keeping the works of the law
that we are justified. It is not because of what we have done, or can do
to earn it, but in what Christ has already done on our behalf. It is not
because we don’t "drink, smoke, or chew, or run with women that do" that
saves us. We know that it is not who we are, but WHOSE we are. Jesus said:
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.." (John 15:16) Oh, how we
need a fresh reminding it is "not by works of righteousness which we have
done, but according to His mercy He saved us." (Titus 3:5)
How can we know all of this, and yet talk as though we
have a free will to do the choosing? We talk as if there is righteousness
within, acted upon by a free will that separates us from the rest of fallen
man. The only righteousness within us is Christ. The only thing that separates
us is, that we had our understanding enlightened to the mystery of our
salvation in our order, and we have been numbered among the firstfruits
of salvation. (I Cor. 15:23) It is the firstfruits which is a downpayment,
and a promise always indicative of a coming harvest. The coming harvest
is the reconciliation of all mankind, each man in his own order.
Chosen, preordained, elected, firstfruit, however we
would consider it, God has a plan for the world, and a divine order by
which He has granted to us His salvation. "Who hath delivered us from the
power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear
Son." (Col. 1:13) "We have passed from death unto Life." (I Jn. 3:14) We
have been Born Again into a Spiritual Kingdom. (Jn. 3) He has made us to
be members of the Body of Christ, an enChristed company of believers, a
New Creation Man. As such, we are privileged to take part in this process,
in which He will bring all to completion in Himself. "All things are of
God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given
to us the ministry of reconciliation.. Now then, we are ambassadors for
Christ" (II Cor. 5:18). Thus, as ambassadors, representatives as Christ
in the earth, we have been given the ministry to proclaim the mystery of
the Gospel to all the world: God has already conciliated the world to Himself,
therefore believe, and be reconciled to God.
Writings
of Preston Eby
BACK - Newer
Posts - Spirit
of the Word -
Covenant
Eschatology - Introductory
Note - New Stuff
