Reconcile, Record, Redeem

Installment #3 of my self-assigned project to study the "re" words in God's Word. (For further explanation of this undertaking, refer to the entry titled "Reach, Read and Reap" from February 3, 2011.)

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 Reconcile


(verb) to bring into agreement or harmony; to restore

"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20

The most important element of reconciliation is being reconciled, or my heart made right, with God. When that relationship is in tact, others may fall into place. And as a means of God's protection, they may not as well. My greatest concern should be being right with God in the situation.

Record

(verb) to set down in writing as a means to preserve; to register in some permanent form

"He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels." Revelation 3:5

"Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?" Psalm 56:8

"If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?" Psalm 130:3

Record keeping is important to God in many ways. Had a record not been kept of so many things, we would not have a Bible full of facts and time references and such. From geneological records of families to the record of God's family called the the Lamb's Book of Life, records are kept. Every tear is recorded and every prayer remembered. The only thing God does not keep a record of is our forgiven sin. Praise the Lord to that!

Redeem

(verb) to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner; to rescue

"No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him—" Psalm 49:7

"But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22

Redemption is God's business. He is the One and Only Redeemer. Once I called upon His name, He received me as His own and redeemed this broken life. And each time I fall short, He reminds me that when I confess, my sins are forgiven and He rescues me again.

My Father, I am so grateful to have a life that is reconciled to You. I am thankful for a God who keeps no record of my wrongs and who has my name written permanently in the Lamb's Book of Life. And when I fall short, thank You that You forgive me of my sins and redeem me. In the name of Jesus, amen.