THE DoCTRINE of Reconciliation:
Who needs to be reconciled? Mankind.
Why do we need reconciliation? Because we have chosen in our rebellion and pride to break from our Creator who will judge our actions righteously.
How are we reconciled? By Christ - God made man.
Who is inherently worthy of reconciliation? No one.
Why does God reconcile? Because he loved before the foundation of the world.
Who benefits from reconciliation? Only mankind.
Emanuel, God is with us. The doctrine of reconciliation begins with the action of God: an action which God determined before the foundation of the world, an action taken on behalf of all mankind, and all mankind alone. Christ, the Work and Word of God, became one of us on behalf of us not because of compulsion or duty, but because of His gracious goodness and redeeming love. God is with us in that He is “for” us, in that He became “one of” us, in that He “took” our place in judgment.