The Doctrine of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is the removal of the barrier that separates man and God, and replacing that hostility between man and God with peace. As we have already seen, man is separated from God because of man's disobedience [sin]. The penalty for this disobedience is death, Romans 6:23. Because of man's disobedience [sin] man is separated from God, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:21-22.
God is a just God and justice demands the punishment of the disobedient [sinners]. Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and your sins. Jesus died in our place as punishment for our sins, and this satisfies the just demand of God. When we accept the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross by faith, we are no longer enemies of God but have peace with Him. We could call it a peace treaty initiated by God, 2 Corinthians 5:18, Ephesians 2:14-16.
Even though God is the initiator of the peace treaty, it is Jesus Christ who is the peace maker, the mediator of the peace treaty, 2 Corinthians 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:5.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, the entire world can be reconciled to God and have eternal life. Christ removed the barrier between God and man, allowing man to have peace with God, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 2:12, Colossians 2:14, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 4:32.
When we are reconciled to God, we are "Born Again". We were first born naturally, and having made peace with God, we are reconciled to God, and are born again spiritually. We have a new spirit, and we are now a new creature, all things are made new, 2 Corinthians 5:17. We are also placed into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who will now lead us, guide us, and teach us. We are declared righteous, and are just as if we had never sinned. We are set apart for God, sanctified. We have forgiveness of sin. We are a friend of God, who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, Hebrews 13:5, and the list goes on. How can we neglect such great salvation? (Hebrews 2:3)
