Quotes about Reconciliation

Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution.

Sometimes the reason people have a problem accepting 'the gospel' is that they sense that the God lurking behind Jesus isn't safe, loving, or good. It doesn't make sense, it can't be reconciled, and so they say no.

And so, beginning with the early church, there is a long tradition of Christians who believe that God will ultimately restore everything and everybody, because Jesus says in Matthew 19 that there will be a "renewal of all things," Peter says in Acts 3 that Jesus will "restore everything," and Paul says in Colossians 1 that through Christ "God was pleased to . . . reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Central to their trust that all would be reconciled was the belief that untold masses of people suffering forever doesn't bring God glory. Restoration brings God glory; eternal torment doesn't. Reconciliation brings God glory; endless anguish doesn't. Renewal and return cause God's greatness to shine through the universe; never-ending punishment doesn't.

This insistence that God will be united and reconciled with all people is a theme the writers and prophets return to again and again. They are very specific in their beliefs about who God is and what God is doing in the world, constantly affirming the simple fact that God does not fail.

She'd left God in the dust quite some time ago.

It had been so long, a full five months since he'd left. Since she had tossed him from the property. What would she say when she saw him? He feared she'd kick him from her land without giving him a chance to explain. Travis wiped his sweaty palms down the length of his thigh. She'd hear him out whether she wanted to or not. He'd tossed her over his shoulder once before, and he'd do it again. He loved her, and it was time she believed it.

You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution.

I have not broken your heart - you have broken it - and in breaking it, you have broken mine ... I forgive what you have done to me. I love my murderer - but yours! How can I?

However , it's over, and I'll take no revenge on his folly — I can afford to suffer anything, hereafter! Should the meanest thing alive slap me on the cheek, I'd not only turn the other, but I'd ask pardon for provoking it — and, as proof, I'll go make my peace with Edgar instantly — Good night — I'm an angel!

You say I killed you. Haunt me, then!

It struck me soon, however, there would be more sense in endeavouring to repair some of his wrongs than shedding tears over them.