Studies in the
Scriptures
The Difference between Reconciliation and Salvation
God's Plan of Salvation is simpler than you think!
By Nab B. September 5, 2022
We read of reconciliation and salvation—a lot! But, what do they simply and clearly mean? To do that, let's first try to define, by the scriptures, what these two words mean. Although this is a big topic, I purposely wrote a very short article to let spirit reveal to you personally more understanding!
The Meaning of Reconciliation
The Greek word for reconciliation is katallássō, a compound of two words: katá means down, and allássō means to change. It simply means “an exchange”.
In the NT, 'reconciliation' describes the change from a state of enmity to a state of friendship (simple enough!). For a long time, God and humans have been in a state of enmity due to sin. This was expressed often in the scriptures:
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)
"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be." (Rom 8:7)
Then, God made peace with us through His Son:
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ...that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Cor 5:18-19)
Remember, we did not reconcile ourselves to God; He already did that! We went from being enemies to being at peace through Christ, our High Priest before God. It is then fitting for all to humbly accept God’s generous peace offering. It is the offer of reconciliation—the exchange—which is the best deal humans can ever get!
The Meaning of Salvation
The meaning of this word gets muddled sometimes. Salvation to most has a religious tone. while it could be that, it’s not limited to it.
Greek word study shows the word sṓzō means to deliver out of danger and into safety. Salvation simply means ‘RESCUE’. A saviour is simply a rescuer. Keep this in mind and you will appreciate its full meaning whenever you read it again!
Christ's Death is Reconciliation, His Resurrection is Salvation
“For if, when we were enemies, ① we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, ② we shall be saved by his life [resurrection].” (Rom 5:10)
Accordingly, salvation is then a two-step process:
① Christ’s death brings reconciliation.
② Christ’s resurrection brings salvation.
So, reconciliation was obtained (you could say automatically) through Christ’s death. But the second step (I believe) is not so automatic! To be saved or rescued requires faith, belief, and trust from the heart in God's salvation through His Son. This is not so easy! Pride and unbelief stand in the way of receiving God's free gift. The passage below shows how many respond to God's salvation:
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18)
How was Reconciliation obtained?
“That God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing [not counting] their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Cor 5:19)
Technically, the world is now reconciled to God. Their sins are not counted against them which otherwise would have brought eternal death. Not wanting such fate for any, God exercises extreme patience (it has been 2000 years and counting), to lead as many to the true life.
Need proof? Check these passages among many others:
"Not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Rom 2:4 ESV)
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise...but is long-suffering, not willing for any to perish, but all to come to repentance." (2 Pet 3:9)
Since all humans attained the first step, reconciliation; now they need to go on to the second step, salvation (rescued or saved) by faith in Jesus Christ.
How is Salvation Obtained?
Pay attention to the passage below in Romans 8. It outlines the amazing accomplishment God has done for HUMANS through the death and resurrection of His Son:
“For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection.
"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that since Christ has been raised from the dead, he is never going to die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
"For the death he died, he died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you too, consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:5-11 ESV)
What is offered here is nothing short of astonishing! Those who choose to spiritually die to self in Jesus Christ, obtain a spiritual "First Resurrection" with Him. Note how this was expressed in Revelation 20, depicting the course of true believers throughout the church age (almost 2000 years):
"...Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark...This is the first resurrection." (Rev 20:4-5)
Once spiritually resurrected, a true believer is free from sin in the sight of God. His sinful nature is deemed to have completely died with Christ on the cross—it no longer exists!
But just as Christ lives His new life to God; a true believer also lives his new life to God through Christ. This is what Jesus offered to us when He said:
"This is life eternal [aionios zōe], that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)
Note that translators have translated "aiōnios zōe" as "eternal life," instead of "age-long life". In John 17:3, Jesus was not only speaking of a future endless life; he said that this Life of God can be given NOW if we choose to know Him and His Father. I really hope you can grasp what this means!
This eternal life does not describe a far-away future life, but rather it describes the quality of THIS AGE when God offered salvation through Christ. This aionios life (the life of God) will only flow to us after being reconciled and saved in this current age.
You have no need to wait. This "divine life of God" through Christ Jesus only can be yours from now and beyond!