2, Gol is never actually reconciled to us, nor we to him, till he give us the regenerating Spirit ; that is receiving the atonement, Eora. v. 11. Nothing but the new creature will evidence his special favour. Therefore it is said, Eom. v. 5, ' Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost given unto us.' Other things may be given us during his anger, yea, they may be given in anger, but the regenerating Spirit is never given in anger.
3. We are so far renewed by this reconciliation, that in some respects we are upon better terms than we were in innocency, before the breach ; namely, as God giveth us effectual grace, not only such grace to stand if we will, or obey if we will, but whereby we are effectually enabled to obey and persevere.
Use. 1. Let us seek after this reconciliation with God by Christ ; then we may comfortably look to obtain every good thing at his hands. Sense of guilt is our first motive on our parts, and reconciliation beginneth all on God's part. Surely God is willing to be reconciled, because he hath laid such a foundation for it in the death of Christ ; why else hath he appointed a ministry of reconciliation, but to call upon us to cast away the weapons of our defiance, ajid to enter into his peace ?
2. It showeth us how much we are obliged to Jesus Christ, who by his death hath satisfied God's justice, and merited all the mercies promised ; the promises themselves ; for he is given for a covenant, that is, the foundation of it, the terms and conditions, the power to perform them, the ministry by which this peace is conveyed to us ; he first preached peace : Eph. ii. 7, ' Having slain enmity by his cross.'
3. Let no breach fall out between God and you, lest it stop grace ; the continual sanctification and perfection of man once regenerate, cometh from the God of peace, dependeth upon this reconciliation, as well as the first renovation, God's sanctifying power, and the abode of his Spirit, is still necessary to renew us more and more.
252 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XXXIV.
SERMON XXXIV.
To loit, iliat God was in Christ reconciling the loorld to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and Jiath committed to us the word of reconciliation. — 2 CoR. v. 19.
The apostle, having mentioned reconciliation in the former verse^ doth now enforce, amplify, and explain it, and insist upon it in this and the following verses. Here you have three things —
1. The sura and substance of the gospel, or the way on God's part — God icas in Christ reconciling the ivorld to himself.
2. The fruit of this reconciliation — Not imputing their trespasses to them.
3. The means of application, or bringing it about on man's part — &€iiiivo<; iv r][M,v, 'placed in us.'
For the first clause, ' God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself ; ' this is the sum of the whole gospel. There is more glory in this one line, than in the great volume of the whole creation ; there we may read God infinite and glorious in his majesty and power, but here in his wisdom and grace. A God reconciled should be welcome news to the fallen creature. Reconciliation is good in any case. The misery of the world cometh from the differences and disappointments which are in the world. How happy were we, if all differences were taken up between man and man, much more between God and man ; if heaven and earth were once at an agreement. We are at a loss how to make up our breaches with one another ; it is easy to open the flood-gates, and let out the waters of strife ; but to set things at rights again, and to reduce every stream into its proper channel, who hath the skill to do that ? If we could once compose our own differences by compromise, yet to take up the quarrel between us and God is not so easy ; though men and angels had joined in consultation about a way and project how to bring it to pass, we had still been to seek ; but when man was at an utter loss, ' God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.'
In the words observe —
[1.] A privilege — Reconcilicdion, which is a returning to grace and favour after a breach.
[2.] The author of the design — God the Father, who in the mystery of redemption is the highest judge and wronged party. 'God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself
[3.] The means — In Chy^ist. Reconciliation is considerable either as to the purchase or application of it. As to the purchase, ' God was in Christ reconciling ; ' God hat!) used Christ as a means to make peace between him and us, Col. i. 20. The application, God is in Christ reconciling by virtue of our union with him ; in Christ, God that was formerly far from us is come nigh to us, and in Christ we draw nigh to God ; in him we meet, and we in him, and he is in us.