To fix a broken relationship and become friends again.
About Reconcile
Reconciliation is restoring friendly relations and peace after hostility. Typically, it also involves removing the cause of the conflict that disrupts peace and harmony. This is especially true in the relationship between God and humanity. Christ removed the hostility between God and people through his sacrifice. The Bible first says that Christ's death reconciled God and sinners. It then explains how sinners can accept this gift by faith. This leads to forgiveness and salvation through God's grace. Finally, it discusses how people are reconciled with God (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 2:16).
The term katalassein (used in Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:19) primarily means the reconciliation of God with the world. It expresses how God’s attitude toward sinners changed because of Christ’s sacrifice. This is not about questioning whether God, who is unchanging, ever changes his mind. Instead, it is about how Christ’s sacrifice altered the relationship between God and sinners. Because of Christ, God now treats sinners as if they had never offended him. This reconciliation is complete and perfect, covering all people and all sins. The barrier between God and sinners is gone, despite humans' feelings. While sinners were still under God's anger, Christ intervened, agreeing with his Father's will. He sought to restore harmony.
Key References
leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.
All Scripture References (11)
Matthew (1)
leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Acts (1)
The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’
Romans (3)
For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
1 Corinthians (1)
But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
2 Corinthians (3)
All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
Ephesians (1)
and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.
Colossians (1)
and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.