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THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
NATURAL as well as revealed religion teaches us that God is the author and giver of all good things. He originally formed man out of the dust of the earth, and still brings us into existence in our successive generations. He appoints the time and place of our birth: he bestows the talents we severally possess: he preserves the health of our bodies, and the vigour of our minds: “in him we altogether live, and move, and have our being.” Nor is it less evident that redemption also is the work of his hands: for he formed the plan alone, and executed it without the creature’s aid. He sent his Son; and qualified him for his office; and upheld him in it. He laid our iniquities on him; and accepted his vicarious sacrifice; and commissioned his Apostles to declare these tidings to the world. All this is plainly asserted in the passage before us; from which we shall,
I. Shew what God has done to save us—
There are two things particularly specified in the text:
1. He has wrought salvation for us—
[Man in innocence walked with God as a friend; but, as soon as he had fallen, shunned his presence, and fled from him as an enemy. Since that time “the carnal and unrenewed mind has been in a state of enmity against God;” and all the children of men have shewn themselves “enemies to God in their minds by wicked works.” To effect a reconciliation for themselves was impossible: but God, in his infinite mercy, opened a way for their restoration to his favour. He assumed our nature, and, in the person of Jesus Christ, became our substitute and surety; that, by his own obedience to the law which we had broken, and his enduring of the penalties which we had incurred, he might make satisfaction to his injured justice, and pardon us without any dishonour to himself. By this means “he has reconciled the world unto himself;” “nor will he impute to any their trespasses,” if they will accept the reconciliation which he offers them.]
2. He has sent salvation to us—
[God has in every age raised up men to whom “he has committed the word of reconciliation,” on purpose that they might publish it to their fellow-creatures. He has not committed it to angels, whose presence would confound us, and who, from their never having tasted the bitterness of sin, would probably be unable to sympathize with us: but he has appointed those to speak to us, who are “encompassed with the same infirmities,” and who need the same forgiveness, as ourselves. To these “he has given the ministry of reconciliation.” He sends them forth, not to tell men how to purchase his favour, or how (as the common expression is) to make their peace with God; but to inform them, that “Christ is our peace,” and that “God, for Christ’s sake, is ready to forgive us all our trespasses.” This is the sum and substance of the Gospel. This is the “treasure which God hath put into us earthen vessels,” for the enriching of the poor, and the saving of the lost. And, in having thus sent the tidings of salvation home to our own doors, he has done what will leave us without excuse for ever.]
That such grace may not be displayed in vain, let us,
II. Urge you to accept salvation—
The message we are commissioned to deliver to you, is, “Be reconciled to God”—
[Acknowledge that you have indeed been enemies to God. Surely none of us can doubt whether such have been our state. Let us only look back upon our violations of his law, and they will bear ample testimony to this melancholy truth.
Being convinced of your enmity against God, be humbled for it in dust and ashes. It is not possible to bewail too deeply the guilt which you have contracted.
Be careful to seek reconciliation with God in the way which he has pointed out. Beware of attempting to make satisfaction, as it were, for your sins; for you owe ten thousand talents, and cannot pay one single mite. God in Christ has taken your debt upon himself; and he is willing “frankly to forgive you all.” Go to him then, and receive mercy at his hands “without money, and without price [Note: Some have thought that because we are called upon to be reconciled to God, the enmity subsists only on our part. But not to mention a multitude of passages that represent God as “angry with the wicked,” the very term ä é á ë ë Ü ã ç è é is used by our Lord himself as expressive of the offending party seeking pardon from the offended, Mat_5:24.].”]
As ambassadors of Christ we would urge our suit with becoming earnestness—
[Though we are neither inspired, nor empowered to work miracles, like the Apostles of old, yet are we truly “ambassadors from Christ” to a guilty world; and we come in his name and stead to treat with you respecting peace. We proclaim an eternal amnesty, if you return to your allegiance: and though, as God’s representatives, we might command, yet, after Christ’s example, “we beseech you to be reconciled to God.”
And is this an unreasonable request? Is it not, on the contrary, most reasonable that you should be reconciled to him, who never rendered any thing to you but good, in return for all the evil you have done against him? Is it not madness to continue in rebellion against him, who must prevail at last? And is it not better to bow to the sceptre of his grace, than to be “broken in pieces with his rod of iron?”
What would you reply, if God should entreat you by a voice from heaven? would you still refuse? Know then, that “God himself beseeches you by us;” and if you continue to pour contempt on this mercy, your “punishment will be sore” indeed.]
Application—
[What account now shall we give to him who sent us? Must we return and say, “Lord, we have spoken to them; but they will not hear; we have invited; but they all begin with one consent to make excuse?” O think with yourselves, how soon “this day of acceptance and salvation” may be passed; and how aggravated will be your condemnation, if you reject these overtures of mercy! Let not our embassy be unsuccessful; but be prevailed upon to “seek the Lord while he may be found, and to call upon him while he is near.” Remember however that, if you be restored to God’s favour, you must also be reconciled to his government: you must not assume a subject’s name, and retain a rebel’s heart: if you “name the name of Christ, you must depart from all iniquity.”]