Outline of John Murray's analysis of the nature of the atonement, pt. 4/5 (Reconciliation)

Continued from part 3 ...

(Links to all five posts in this series)

• Reconciliation
• “… reconciliation is concerned with our alienation from God and the need of having that alienation removed”
• Romans 5:10 [1] says we are reconciled to God
• God reconciles us to Himself, per II Corinthians 5:18-19, Ephesians 2:16, and Colossians 1:2-22 [2]
• Matthew 5:23-24 [3] provides an example that we are to take care of the alienation in the mind and attitude of another (the “against” is that of the other)
• In the same way, reconciliation with God involves removing His alienation toward us when we are said to be reconciled to God
• Romans 11:15 [4] provides the contrast between “casting away” and “reconciliation,” demonstrating a relation between Israel and God’s favor and blessing; in the same way, our being reconciled to God is the “change in the disposition of God and the change in the resulting relationship of God to the Gentiles”
• Isaiah 59:2 [5] shows us that sin separates us from fellowship and favor with God, bringing not only wrath but also alienation
• Romans 5:8-11 and II Corinthians 5:18-21 [6] demonstrate that reconciliation is not a mere subjective, inward change in the disposition (loving, penitent, etc.) of man toward God
• Romans 5:8 [7] highlights the greatness of God’s love in that 1) He died for us, and 2) He died for us while we were still sinners
• This reconciliation, per Romans 5:10, [8] occurred while we were sinners
• “The whole point of verse 8 is that what God did in the death of Christ took place when we were still sinners and did not consist in nor was it premised upon any change in us. To introduce the thought of change in us is to contradict the pivot of the declaration.”
• As with “justified,” so “reconciled” does not have reference to an inward and subjective work within man, but an objective change in status before God
• II Corinthians 5:19 [9] sets forth the non-imputation of trespasses either as explanatory or consequential to God’s reconciliation, demonstrating that neither of these signify an inward and subjective change
• Romans 5:10 and II Corinthians 5:18-19 [10] show that the reconciliation was once-for-all, quite contrary to a subjective and progressive change within man
• II Corinthians 5:21 [11] clearly refers to Christ’s objective work of sin-bearing, not to a subjective change within us
• Romans 5:10 [12] reflects upon God’s alienation from us, in terms of the relations expressed in Romans 11:28; [13] they are “enemies” or “beloved” from God’s perspective
• Romans 5:11 [14] represents reconciliation as a gift of status change from God, of which we are recipients
• II Corinthians 5:19 [15] shows that the Gospel is a “proclamation of his reconciling action and cannot be construed as a change in our hearts”
• II Corinthians 5:20 [16] is to be understood as an appeal to take advantage of the reconciliation and what it has accomplished
• “The sum of the doctrine is, therefore, that reconciliation as action refers to what God has done in Christ to provide for the alienation from God which is the necessary consequence of our sin, and reconciliation as a result is the restoration to the favor and fellowship of God. It is the disruption caused by sin that made the reconciliation necessary, it is this disruption that the reconciliation healed, and it is fellowship with God that the reconciliation secured. At no point do the provisions of the atonement register its grace and glory more than at the point where our separation from God is the exigency contemplated and communion with God the secured result.”

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[1] Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

[2] II Corinthians 5:18-19 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] 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.

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Colossians 1:2-22 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, [4] Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, [5] For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; [6] Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: [7] As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; [8] Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. [9] For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; [10] That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; [12] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: [13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: [15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; [20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. [21] And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled [22] In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

[3] Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; [24] Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

[4] Romans 11:15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

[5] Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

[6] Romans 5:8-11 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. [11] And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

II Corinthians 5:18-21 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] 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. [20] 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. [21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

[7] Romans 5:8 [see fn. 6]

[8] Romans 5:10 [see fn. 6]

[9] II Corinthians 5:19 [see fn. 6]

[10] Romans 5:10 and II Corinthians 5:18-19 [see fn. 6]

[11] II Corinthians 5:21 [see fn. 6]

[12] Romans 5:10 [see fn. 6]

[13] Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

[14] Romans 5:11 [see fn. 6]

[15] II Corinthians 5:19 [see fn. 6]

[16] II Corinthians 5:20 [see fn. 6]

[See John Murray's article and Part 5 of the outline]