Steven A. Bush - December 3, 2017
He Died to Make His Enemies, Friends
Colossians 1:21-22 says: "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation..." (NIV) Romans 5:10-11 declares further: "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." (ESV) God loved His enemies so much He sent His Son to die for them and reconcile them to Himself. To reconcile means to turn enemies into friends. We are among those He turned! The symbol for reconciliation between God and man was the first Christmas tree--the cross. Jesus may have been born in a manger but He was always destined for the cross. As for the evidence of His successful mission of reconciliation, He left us His empty tomb. So now what?! Go tell it on the mountain! Herald the news far and wide! And don't forget your family, friends and neighbors!