Death, Sin, Life and Joy

Justification deals with our legal standing before God, while reconciliation deals with the nature of our relationship.

Reconciliation is the restoration of a broken relationship, a renewal of a friendship.

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.Ephesians 2:13

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.John 15:13-15

Reconciliation is the opposite of alienation. Reconciliation takes us from being enemies of God to the sons and daughters of God.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:1 Peter 3:18

Our new standing with God brings joy.

Faith in our Father gives us true contentment and joy.

For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.Psalm 33:21

We are no longer enemies, no longer estranged, but made sons and daughters and brought near.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.John 1:12-13

All of creation suffers due to sin.

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.Romans 8:19-22

Death is a direct result of the sin of Adam and the brokenness brought to the world.

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.Genesis 2:17

Adam brought sin into the world, but sin originated with Satan.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.1 John 3:8

In this world death reigns overall.

All will die, for all have sinned.

The only one Who has ever defeated death is Jesus.

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Before the Mosaic law, there were no specific commandments given, but mankind’s sin nature is punishable by death.

We find our earthly life in Jesus.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.John 10:10

We find our eternal life in Jesus.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.John 5:24

We find joy in walking with Jesus.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.John 15:10-11