The Need of Reconciliation

James Denney's wise words are always deeply appreciated.  On the need for reconciliation with God, he explains that it is mankind's guilt before God that gives it is power.  It is our "guilt that alienates us from God, and it is in virtue of this alienation that sin reigns in us.  Hence to be reconciled to God is the sinner's primary need."

This is the message the world needs to hear and the church needs to preach.  Sadly, this is the message that the world is not hearing because the church is not proclaiming it.  You will find pockets here and there where the message of reconciliation is preached with passion, and not as a dry academic lecture.

Man without the Bible, to borrow Schaeffer's memorable phrase, must be confronted directly yet lovingly with the truth that he is under divine wrath.  He stands in dire and urgent need of being reconciled with God.  And how can he hear without a preacher? asks Paul.  And how can he preach unless he is sent?  he continues.  Is the reason why there is so little true and engaging Gospel the fact that many of those who have taken up "holy orders" to use an old expression, were never called to this work and therefore were never sent?  How dangerous a position it is to be in if a man has neither been called by God not sent to preach the Gospel!  What eternal danger such a man is doing to the souls under his charge.  They are wolves in sheep's clothing, false prophets, men who serve their in interests rather than God's.  How blessed a thing it would be for the church to be rid of such men.