The testimony of Scripture is as distinct as possible on this great question. It never speaks of God being reconciled to us, but rather, “If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son” (Rom. 5:1010For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)). The death of Christ was essential to the reconciliation, but man was the enemy of God and needed to be reconciled. So we read in Colossians 1:2121And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (Colossians 1:21), “You, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled.” The ground of this is stated in the previous verse to be “the blood of His cross.” So also in 2 Corinthians 5:19, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” It does not say, “Reconciling Himself to the world.”
Thus, to anyone who bows to Scripture, as everyone ought, the truth is as clear as a sunbeam. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” God not only gave Him, but bruised Him on the cross. “It pleased the Lord [Jehovah] to bruise Him.” It is of the utmost importance to maintain the true aspect of God’s nature and character in the presentation of the gospel. To say that Christ died to reconcile the Father to us is to falsify the divine character, as seen in the mission and death of His Son. God was not man’s enemy, but his friend. True, sin had to be condemned; God’s truth, holiness and majesty had to be vindicated. All this was done, in a divine way, in the cross, where we read of God’s hatred of sin and His love to the sinner.
Atonement is the necessary basis of reconciliation, but it is of the very greatest importance to see that it is God who reconciles us to Himself. This He does, blessed forever be His holy name, at no less a cost than “the death of His Son.” Such was His love to man — His kindness — His goodness — His deep compassion — that, when there was no other possible way in which man, the guilty enemy and rebel, could be reconciled to God, He gave His Son from His bosom, “made Him to be sin for us,” and bruised Him for our iniquities on Calvary’s cursed tree. Eternal and universal homage to His name!
Oh! beloved reader, should not all this magnificent display of love and grace draw and bind our hearts to our ever-gracious God in sweetest confidence, banish all our fears and forebodings, and fill our souls with a liberty and peace that not all the power of earth and hell, men and devils, can disturb?
C. H. Mackintosh