Why be reconciled to God?
2 Corinthians 5
20 Therefore, we are the Messiah’s representatives, as though God were pleading through us. We plead on the Messiah’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God!” 21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that God’s righteousness would be produced in us.
1. Awe
Look beyond the mess we've made on this earth at what God has created. Look at a simple leaf. It can take light from the sun and make food for the whole tree! God designed that. Take a look at the amazingly complex systems of the human body. We in our food and our bodies go through the Creb's cycle, processing the food with many different enzymes to create energy for our use. God designed all of that. There's the beauty of a waterfall, a flower, a butterfly, a kitten. God designed them all. He spoke all the universe into existence.
A God who can do all of that....it just seems wise to be on His side!
2. Gratitude
Mankind was intended to have dominion over the whole earth. That means that it was all put here for our use and enjoyment, so that all could glorify God. God made us. He provided for all of our needs -- food, water, shelter. In return He wished to be exulted, praised, thanked, and obeyed. When we failed to do that which we were created for, God punished us. Mankind was cursed with death. But God, in His mercy, provided a way to overcome even death. He sent His only beloved Son down to earth to live as a man, and to die as payment for *our* death sentence. All we have to do is to repent of our sins and trust in the one who died for us and was raised from the dead. Gratitude for God's forbearance seems like an obvious reaction to such a situation.
3. Fulfilling your purpose
We were created to give God glory. When you do so, it brings an incredible sense of peace and joy. Considering all that God has done for us, all that He is, all that He can do....he deserves all the glory and praise we can shower on Him. People do have a reason for being. You don't have to struggle to find your purpose, it is written right there in the Bible.
4. Coming into alignment with the truth
Do you really want to live a lie? How would it be to come to the end of your life, only to find that everything you thought was true was only a deception designed to mislead. Jesus is the Truth.
5. Fear
Jesus promised that the eternal punishment created for Satan and his fallen angels would be the fate of all who follow Satan rather than Jesus. If you're not following Jesus, you are following Satan, the father of lies. Psalm 111:10 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise."
God created all that we see. He made it. He owns it. He has a right to make the rules. We have ALL broken those rules. We have ALL deserved the punishment set down for breaking those rules. That is justice. But what we can have is God's grace. God in his mercy paid your penalty in order that you might be reconciled to Him. Rejecting this offer of reconciliation means being left to pay your own penalty -- death and eternal punishment in the lake of fire. Why choose that when you can choose an eternal life of joy, peace, contentment? What sin is so sweet it is worth eternal punishment in the lake of fire? What lie is worth it? What blasphemy is worth it? What sexual sin is worth it? What false god is worth it? What stolen object is worth it? Is your pride more important than avoiding eternal punishment in the lake of fire?
If you throw yourself on the mercy of this highest court, you will receive mercy. If you plead for forgiveness for your sins, you will receive it. When you realize your need for a savior, He is there for you.
