2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (NRSV) 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

RECONCILIATION

"Re" = again

"Con" = together

So, the idea is that we are being brought together again, which implies that we were together before.

Scripture tells this 4-part story:

> Creation - perfect order and relationship:

1. God with humans
2. Humans with each other
3. Humans with all of the created order

Scripture tells this 4-part story:

> Creation - perfect order and relationship:

> Fall and curse - defilement of all 3 relationships 

Scripture tells this 4-part story:

> Creation - perfect order and relationship:

> Fall and curse - defilement of all 3 relationships

> Redemption - the death and resurrection of Jesus opens the door to restoration of those relationships

Romans 3:21-26 (NRSV) 21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.

Scripture tells this 4-part story:

> Creation - perfect order and relationship:

> Fall and curse - defilement of all 3 relationships

> Redemption - the death and resurrection of Jesus opens the door to restoration of those relationships

> New creation - God will make all things new. This has both a future and a current component.

Article #7

We believe that the grace of God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all people, enabling all who will to turn from sin to righteousness, believe on Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from sin, and follow good works pleasing and acceptable in His sight. We also believe that the human race's creation in Godlikeness included the ability to choose between right and wrong, and that thus human beings were made morally responsible; that through the fall of Adam they became depraved so that they cannot now turn and prepare themselves by their own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon God.