Musings on the Tough Life Questions

This is why we look to the original Greek.  There are two Greek words for reconciliation: katallaso and apo-katallaso . These words are related but slightly different. Technically there is a difference between reconciliation (both parties reconciling: apo-katallaso) and c onciliation (one party reconciling). If two people are enemies and are separated by some dispute, they need to be reconciled one to another. But if just one of those people takes it upon himself to drop the case and forgive the other, raising the white flag of truce, a conciliation has just occurred. A conciliation is a one-sided peace, done outside the will or knowledge of the second party. It is done by the council of his own will in the secret chambers of his governmental palace.  This is what God did when he “reconciled us” He who has conciliated his brother then sends his ambassador with the white flag of truce to sue for peace, to beg the other to conciliate in return. If he does so, ...

"And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous , just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God." 1 John 3:5-9 ------------   We consider ourselves dead to sin because we died in Christ. That death, death to sin is more powerful than being dead in sin. Christ died for our offenses but was raised for our justification. If he did not secure our justification and made it possible that His Righteous (the powerful antidote for sin) was now ours, He would still be in the grave or His raising...