DAY 3- IS IT TOO LATE FOR RECONCILIATION?

 

IS IT TOO LATE FOR RECONCILIATION?

According to Oxford English Dictionary, the word reconciliation means " the action of restoring estranged people or parties to friendship". Reconciliation refers to the restoration of relationships. When God made us, He created us with the need to both give and receive love. What He desires most for humanity is genuine  friendship- both with Him, and between each person and their neighbor.

❤HULI NA BA ANG PAGKAKASUNDO?

Ayon sa Oxford English Dictionary, ang salitang pagkakasundo ay nangangahulugang "ang pagkilos ng pagpapanumbalik ng mga taong hiwalay o partido sa pagkakaibigan". Ang pagkakasundo ay tumutukoy sa pagpapanumbalik ng mga relasyon. Noong ginawa tayo ng Diyos, nilikha Niya tayo na may pangangailangang magbigay at tumanggap ng pagmamahal. Ang higit Niyang ninanais para sa sangkatauhan ay ang tunay na pakikipagkaibigan—kapwa sa Kanya, at sa pagitan ng bawat tao at ng kanilang kapwa.

That was why God made a plan. He created the idea of marriage and family. However, because of Adam's disobedience, the plan was disrupted and rebellion and selfishness entered instead.

God still longs for there to be complete harmony: He wants us to be reconciled to Him and to the people around us. 

Luke 15:18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  

❤Kaya nga gumawa ng plano ang Diyos. Siya ang lumikha ng ideya ng kasal at pamilya. Gayunpaman, dahil sa pagsuway ni Adan, ang plano ay nagambala at sa halip ay pumasok ang paghihimagsik at pagkamakasarili.

Nais pa rin ng Diyos na magkaroon ng ganap na pagkakaisa: Nais Niyang makipagkasundo tayo sa Kanya at sa mga taong nakapaligid sa atin.

Lucas 15:18 Aalis ako at babalik sa aking ama, at sasabihin ko sa kanya, Ama, nagkasala ako laban sa langit at laban sa iyo.

The young man determined that he would confess his sins, accepting responsibility for them  whilst also seeking mercy. The writer of Proverbs said, " whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounced them finds mercy" (Proverbs 28:13)

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The prodigal son decided to tell his father, " I have sinned against heaven and against you" Luke 15:18

When a person sins and offends God, they also offend those around them. Confession is the result of a repentant heart that knows it has strayed from the path and decides to turn around to get back on the right track. Our future is defined by our crucial moments.

The word crucial  comes from the Latin word for cross. It is no coincidence that the cross was made of two pieces of wood: one placed vertically and the other horizontally. The vertical beam speaks of us lifting our eyes to God while the horizontal beam speaks about an awareness of the needs of our neighbor. The cross both reconciles people to God and helps us restore our relationships with others. I am confident that the best medicine in existence is the forgiveness we receive through the cross.

Paul said, "For Christ's love  compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Cor. 5:14-15.

There is unlimited power available at the cross of Calvary, it has become the only door through which man can be reconciled to God. 

The first couple sinned when they disobeyed the Lord's instruction.

Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.". 

Because of their disobedience, they had to leave paradise, they lost everything and had face a world they did not know. Thousand of years later, another tree was planted- the cross of Calvary- and its fruits is life and life to the full.

God has also given us the opportunity to be reconciled to the people around us through the criss. When Jesus was teachingbHis disciples to pray, the only additional comment He made was about forgiveness. He said, 

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

When we forgive, we set a prisoner free, and then we discover that the prisoner we set was us.

The best medicines that exists for the human heart is forgiveness, as much for those who grant it as for those who receive it.  Forgiveness breaks the strongest chains, opens the securest doors, and demolishes the sturdiest wall. There is nothing comparable to forgiveness, and the best way to both receive and grant forgiveness is through the cross.

Remember the cross was made of two pieces of wood- one horizontal and the other vertical.  The vertical beam represents reconciliation between God and man abd the horizontal beam speaks of reconciliation with others. The work of the cross is complete.