The doctrine regarding the act of reconciliation (to bring into agreement or harmony, to make things right) between God and man. From the beginning when God took the dust of the earth and created man, then breathed into man’s nostrils, who became a living soul! “So God created man in HIS OWN IMAGE; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Gen. 1:27) God gave man everything he needed including face-to-face daily encounters and required obedience, to not partake of just one thing. “…the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “…of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil YOU SHALL NOT EAT, for in the day that you eat of it you shall SURELY DIE.“ (Gen. 2:16-17) Well, man gave into Satan’s temptation and ate from the tree “of the knowledge of good and evil” So, God had to get man out of the garden so he would not eat from the tree of life in a unsaved, SPIRITUALLY DEAD state.
This death would be of man’s spiritual nature and his relationship with God. “So God drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword, to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Gen. 3:24)
What did God do to correct this sin caused separation: “…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US…For if, when we were enemies, WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Rom. 5:8, 10)
“For God so loved the world that HE GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.” (John 3:16)
-Bill Stockham