When we think God is angry at us, God is our…
R Reconciler
“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Col. 1:19-20 ESV).
When I was a kid, my mother was the parent who made and enforced the rules for the children. She didn’t often need to mete out consequences for my wrong-doing; her disapproving looks and her stern reprimands were consequence enough. I couldn’t stand it when I thought my mother was mad at me. It’s not that I was a perfect child. When she made a rule I didn’t like, rather than argue with her, I often secretly disobeyed. (Yes, I was that kind of kid.) If I got caught, I would do my best to make amends and restore the relationship.
However, there’s no going behind God’s back. He always knows what we’ve done. So often when I know I’ve done something wrong —or haven’t done something I should have—I have the vague feeling that God is angry at me.
God Isn’t Angry. He Sees Us as Holy and Blameless
But God isn’t angry. The Bible tells us God reconciled us to himself. In the book of Colossians, the word for reconcile is“apokatallasso̅.” It means to reconcile completely or “bring back a former state of harmony.” God isn’t like a human parent. True, we were once hostile towards God and alienated from him. But God himself took the initiative to restore the relationship. Jesus suffered the consequences—consequences that should have been ours. Now, in God’s sight, we are holy, blameless, and above reproach.
There is no rift between God and us.
“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him”
When We Don’t Feel Holy and Blameless
But often I don’t feel holy and blameless. I know I still sin. The Apostle John addresses this sticky problem on sin in his first epistle.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:7-9 ESV).
Jesus cleanses us from sin. But if we say we have no sin, we’re lying. So, which is it? Sin or no sin? When we believe in Jesus, we are reconciled to God. Forever. Period. But we’ll still sin. God knows we will. He knows we do. When we confess, he promises to forgive. Once we put our faith in Jesus, whatever sins we subsequently commit will not damage our relationship with God. He won’t disown us, kick us out of the family, or turn his back on us.
When we think God is angry with us…remember, God is our reconciler.
Father, thank you for the finished work of Christ on the cross. I’m glad you’re not angry with me. I glad you took the initiate to restore a relationship with me. Help me not to rely on my feelings, but on the fact that Jesus paid for all my sins. Help me to walk in the light, doing the things that are pleasing to you. Amen.
