A Fundamental Misunderstanding
The concept of reconciliation is perhaps one of the most misunderstood within the Christian church. It is often taught that Jesus, through a one-time act on the cross two thousand years ago, accomplished reconciliation between God and the world and fulfilled the law, so that we might be justified. Yet this approach has stripped the gospel of its power.
As long as righteousness remains tied to the law — and this is the case as long as we believe that Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf — we render “Christ in us” inactive. In doing so, we place ourselves outside of grace, as Paul states sharply:
“You who are trying to be justified by the law make Christ inactive (Greek: katargeo); you have fallen away from grace.” (Galatians 5:4)
Grace as Liberation in the Here and Now
The grace of Christ is not a future promise, but a present reality. It is aimed at complete liberation — spirit, soul, and body — from the power of sin and death that holds creation captive. This state of bondage is the result of a consciousness shaped by the knowledge of good and evil — in other words, a life lived in darkness.
That this liberation is so scarcely visible among Christians is not due to a lack of power in the gospel, but to the message that is being proclaimed. As a result, “Christ in us” is rendered inactive. And where Christ is not active, liberation does not occur.
Reconciliation as Awakening to an Existing Unity
Reconciliation is not about restoring a broken relationship between God and humanity, as if God had withdrawn Himself. In the incarnation, God fully identified Himself with humanity.
Reconciliation therefore means that God brings Himself back into awareness in and through humanity. It is the process in which darkness gives way to Light, in which we awaken to the reality of the Kingdom of God — here and now — and discover that Christ has always been present within us.
As it is written about Christ:
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)
The Ministry of Reconciliation
The well-known passage on reconciliation, 2 Corinthians 5:18–20, is often read from a legal perspective. But when read from the perspective of consciousness and the Kingdom, it speaks a different language:
“18 And all this is from God, who through Christ has reconciled us (those to whom Paul writes) to Himself and has given us (idem) the ministry of reconciliation, 19 which consists, after all, in this, that God in Christ is reconciling the world to Himself (imperfect present tense!), by not imputing to them the fall (in consciousness), and putting in us (those to whom Paul writes) the Word (logos) of reconciliation (“There be Light!“; Christ). 20 So we are ambassadors of Christ, as if God were calling you to Himself through us (idem) and begging for Christ’s sake: be reconciled to God.“
Paul speaks here to people who have already awakened to the awareness of “Christ in us.” They no longer live in separation, but in the reality of the Kingdom. Precisely for this reason, the ministry of reconciliation is entrusted to them.
Reconciliation is not a completed event, but an ongoing process. In Christ, God is reconciling the world (cosmos) to Himself — a movement in which the Light increasingly breaks through in human consciousness. This movement continues until all creation lives from this unity.
Christ in Us as the Driving Force
Reconciliation is not imposed from the outside, but realized from within. “Christ in us” is the hope of glory — the living power through which the Kingdom becomes visible.
Those who have awakened to this consciousness are aware of the Word of reconciliation within them: the creative speaking of God — “Let there be Light.” In them, the Light has dawned, and through them it breaks forth to others.
Therefore, they are ambassadors of Christ: not to proclaim a message of distance, but to awaken people to the realization of what is already true — the unity with God here and now.
Living as Light in the World
“Let your (Christ-)light shine before others.” (Matthew 5:16)
“…then you will shine among them like stars (as Christ) in the sky.” (Philippians 2:15)
This is the calling: to live from the Light, so that others may recognize the Light. Not through effort, but through revelation. Not through religion, but through consciousness. Here and now, the Kingdom becomes visible — in and through people in whom “Christ in us” has become active.
Reflection Questions
- Do you live from the awareness that “Christ in you” is a present reality, or does it remain a future idea for you?
- Where do you notice that your consciousness is still shaped by darkness rather than Light?
- Do you see reconciliation as something already completed outside of you, or as a process taking place within you?
- In what way does the Kingdom of God take concrete shape in your daily life?
- How do you allow the Light of Christ to become visible to others through you?
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