Counsel #5 — Bridging The Gap

Picture: Counsel #5 — Bridging The GapCCW 58.1

The fall did more than introduce sin into the world—it created a huge chasm between heaven and earth. Sin destroyed our relationship with God and separated us from Him. This separation might feel arbitrary if we think of sin simply as an idea. But sin goes deeper than that. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they joined the evil side of a cosmic rebellion. They might not have realized it, but Adam and Eve had become part of a terrorist organization bent on nothing less than the destruction of God Himself. The fruit was more than regular fruit, it was the agreement to a contract in which Satan was able to legally make Earth His new capital. Because of this, Earth was annexed from the kingdom of heaven and invaded by an enemy. The only way back to God required reconciliation.^{[81]https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1940/09/the-meaning-of-reconciliation}CCW 58.2

“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:19, 20 NKJVCCW 58.3

“The gulf of perdition opened by sin is bridged by the cross of Calvary. Penitent, believing souls may see a forgiving Father reconciling us to Himself by that cross of Calvary.” Ellen White in Letters and Manuscripts, Volume 3, Lt 6, 1881, par. 17CCW 58.4

Reflect: Consider Christ’s reconciling death. How does recognizing His pursuit of you impact your understanding of His love and grace?CCW 58.5