Connecting Point: Reconciliation

The judgment of God, all would agree, is complex. So not making this a “can of worms,” let me be as direct as possible. God’s purpose being to create loving people who love Him back, let us humans leave His judgement large. But, let me put this into the perspective of a country that is unrepentant. Let’s again tackle the Book of Lamentations.

When one admits his sinfulness, the process of reconciliation begins. I will not say here that humans can break God’s heart. I will say, God’s overall goal front and center is all about forgiveness and reconciliation. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance,” (2 Peter 3:9).

As adults we learn that although God is patient and graceful, each of us operates freely. Knowledge takes many shapes in this world. Christians, might think this more than anyone, which takes me back to the can of worms. I’m trying to be honest and not insult earnest people. This is a public column, not me in my own church. Well you know, some go through life indignant, never acknowledging their sinfulness before God.

Another principle to keep in mind is despite God’s grace, the possibilities of consequences of individual, masculine or feminine sin is not simply erased. Indeed, in Christ a believer’s sin is erased, as far as the east from the west. But, what of corporeal sin, when a whole group sins? Sin can have immediate consequences and, more, long term consequences. [Have you ever heard of war?]

Citing Jeremiah’s moving poetry again, “Look, Lord, and consider: Whom have you ever treated like this? Should women eat their offspring, the children they have cared for? Should priest and prophet be killed in the sanctuary of the Lord? Young and old lie together in the dust of the streets; my young men and young women have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of your anger; you have slaughtered them without pity. As you summon to a feast day, so you summoned against me terrors on every side. In the day of the Lord’s anger no one escaped or survived; those I cared for and reared my enemy has destroyed,” (Lam. 2:20-22).

You see, the harsh realities of sin’s consequences are plainly brutal. Yes, you read Jeremiah’s words correctly and although in poetry form the conditions after Jerusalem’s fall are sickening. In a broken world God even weeps at the wickedness of men because depraved, evil hearts are second to none. Those dreadful choices of wrong fell solely on the people, not God. Sin is ugly.

Prior to this horrific description, one needs to grasp the full context, “The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest,” (Lam. 2:18). Admission of our sin is step one, step two involves being reconciled to God. This process isn’t only about tears but heart change. The nineteenth century preacher J.C. Ryle said, “If you and sin are friends, you and God are not yet reconciled.” The cross of Jesus is our only avenue to receiving God’s love. Well, well, this was hard to write this week. So, I hope you have enjoyed the labor. I hope you better understand what we mean when we say “Jesus loves.”