The Reconciliation Of All Things
As I was sharing the gospel with a friend a few weeks ago, he parried my explanation of redemption and offer of salvation in Christ with a common objection, one many people use today to rationalize rejection of the gospel.
In so many words, he said, “I appreciate your concern and offer, but no thanks. Some years ago I went to Haiti and saw how people treated one another, and with the evil I witnessed, I want nothing to do with a God who allows such wickedness.”
In short, this age-old rationalization for rejecting the gospel of Jesus goes like this: “If God is all-powerful and if God is supposed to be a God of love, why does He allow evil and suffering and not do something about it! I want nothing to do with this god.”
To many unbelievers, this sounds so reasonable? The problem is that this perception is so myopic, it doesn’t take into account several spiritual realities that provide the Biblical response and remind the audience of the big picture or the biblical long-game, if you will.
I calmly responded with a short response, “May I remind you first of all that God didn’t commit those acts of wickedness, human beings did, and they will give account to God, the righteous Judge. Secondly, things aren’t as God originally designed them, as things were perfect in the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve rebelled against God. Nor will things remain as they are, for when Jesus returns, He will judge with perfect righteousness and restore all things, making all things new again, just as He originally intended.”
Simply put, things today aren’t as God originally designed them (a result of the fall) nor will God allow things to remain as they are (He will transform this sin-cursed universe). In fact, He will make all things new.
The gospel is the only worldview that adequately accounts for the sin of man and the saving work of the creator to reverse the curse.
As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossae,
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).
The greek word for “reconcile” means “to change” or “exchange.” In this verse if refers to the change in man’s relationship with God through the work of Christ, who made a way for lost sinners to brought back into a right relationship with God.
Paul would also write that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
On the cross there was a relational and spiritual reconciliation accomplished by the Lord. At His second coming, the fullness of this reconciliation of all things will occur, as even the physical universe will be made new and we, as God’s people, will dwell in a reality devoid of sin!
Isaiah prophecied of this future reality, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17), as did apostle John in the book of Revelation,
“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Revelation 21:3-5).
As God’s people, may we revel in this reality that things will not remain as they are. May we also be ready with a word aptly spoken to those who are lost, disillusioned with the way things are, and blaming God in the process, bringing the hope of the gospel into the conversation.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).