Wrangler
Well-Known Member
We cannot reconcile ourselves to God by works, laws or religion.
This tired, old point hinges on the difference between works (plural) in the Biblical sense and work (singular) in the general sense of the word.
Agreed.Reconciliation to God is a done deal on His part, what remains is that we receive it.
The fact that the "sufficiency of Christ" is insufficient for us to do our part proves we do have work to do; namely, humbly repenting.
Exactly! A check metaphor is perfect. If someone does the work of having $1 billion dollars and writes it over to you, the work remains for you to benefit by this gift is to cash the check.If reconciliation is a done deal why do we need to receive it? This sounds like the old argument of a two party check. If one party does not sign then the check is worthless.
The ministry of reconciliation is given to us and that's the reason it is a done deal, and not as the OP stipulated.
That people today are so hostilt to God is shown that they don't want to even do the work to cash the check. IMO, well meaning Christians do a disservice to people who are struggling spiritually in denying they have work to do (even though this is not works, in the Biblical sense). If us mere mortals did not have a role to do in reconcilliation, universalism would be correct doctrine.