I have often enjoyed the quotes on my Google homepage, but sometimes they stop me in my tracks. The saints of old who furthered our belief system were not impervious to faults of their own. Often they become glaringly real in the isolated quotes shared and handed down over the centuries. I was not familiar with J.C. Ryle before I read this quote. It seems he was a man after God’s heart dedicated to sharing the gospel. But this quote… this quote struck me.
I found it ironic he would suggest reconciliation would be a sin against God. Now, here’s the hard part of the quote. I cannot put it in context. I do not know what he meant by reunion. This quote could be defended in a way no one would doubt its truth, but all I can do is take it for how it is presented. In such I find irony.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting people’s sins against them.
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting people’s sins against them.
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
Here was a man working to spread the gospel, but refusing to reconcile with the church in Rome. Were those hard and difficult times? Yes. Did Rome torture and kill many believers because of differences in belief? Yes. I can imagine the hardship was more than can be imagined, and the bitterness was great. I understand the bitterness because I grow bitter when someone does something slight against me. How would I deal with what Rome did? It is easier to see truth in another’s situation, therefore I look at this quote and think, “But it is our job to reconcile, and to live in peace with others if at all possible.”
Then I think about how I do not do such in my own life. How I have placed locked doors between myself and others. Not that I have refused reconciliation, but rather I refuse the idea of reconciliation before it is ever offered.
Now, here’s the thing: J.C. Ryle and other Protestants could not have reconciled with Rome unless Rome was ready to reconcile with them. Reconciliation takes two parties. The Protestants would have been unwise to meet Rome at their doorstep to reconcile knowing Rome was only going to keep torturing them.
The same is true for us. It would be unwise to open our hearts to people who have not reached out in reconciliation. Allowing those who would do harm to have access to our lives is not what we are called to do. However, I do believe we should be in a position willing to reconcile when the other party reaches out their hand in reconciliation.
It’s not always easy, and trust has to be grown over time. Even as I type this there is a little piece of my heart yelling, “NO!” But the truth is we are to have grace and mercy for each other, and we are called to love our enemies and forgive. If we are doing those things, how can we not also offer reconciliation?
We may keep the door closed for now, but maybe we should unlock it.
"I do believe we should be in a position willing to reconcile when the other party reaches out their hand in reconciliation."
ReplyDeleteI believe you hit the nail right on the head! When Jesus met with the wealthy young ruler and asked him to give up all he had, the young man did not get the point of what Jesus was asking of him. Jesus wanted him to be WILLING to give it all up, but that did not automatically mean that he HAD to give it all up. Not everyone is called in to the mission field, but we are expected to be WILLING to go if He calls us.
I have 2 very strenuous relationships in my life.Though they inflicted great pain in all manner of ways, I harbor no bitterness or anger. That being said, I communicate minimally with one and not at all with the other. One is willing to see the struggles and work slowly at complete reconciliatory,the other continues to hurt me. I do not see scripture instructing me to be friends with everyone. it does instruct us to love, love, and love some more. I do--through prayer and forgiveness. Reconciliation can indeed be one sided if you have reconciled in your heart with Christ that forgiveness is freely given to all our "enemies" or those that have harmed us in some way. It is ludicrous to keep an abuser in your life if they are not willing to repent. But you do not have to be overcome with hatred and anger either.
About the quote...I have never read it before so I do not know all the particulars around his specific quote. If we look at Websters 1828 definition of "reconcile" it gives a little insight.
(pasted from 1828 dictionary on line)
1. To conciliate anew; to call back into union and friendship the affections which have been alienated; to restore to friendship or favor after estrangement; as, to reconcile men or parties that have been at variance.
Go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother - Mat 5.
We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2 Cor 5. Eph 2. Col 1.
2. To bring to acquiescence, content or quiet submission; with to; as, to reconcile one's self to afflictions. It is our duty to be reconciled to the dispensations of Providence.
3. To make consistent or congruous; to bring to agreement or suitableness; followed by with or to.
4. To adjust; to settle; as, to reconcile differences or quarrels.
Ryle could not allow this reconciliation because he truly believed that the Catholic church was heretical and therefor NOT a brother in Christ so reconciliation as far as doctrine could never be met.
That is just a personal observation! I was raised a Catholic---school, communion, etc. and though I left the church because it was not meeting my needs, I know many Catholics that are saved by the blood of Jesus and will be in heaven with us rejoicing :0). Just like there will be some of other "denominations" that we were sure would be there, but they truly did not yield to the truth.
Gid is the only one that can judge a heart. And Ryle lived in a very different society than ours. I think that def influenced his views. He was a man...a godly man granted, but still a man and capable of being in error just like the rest of us :0).
WOW! That was way longer than I expected...delete and amend at will!!!
By His Grace...
Donna
I recently went through a time of separation with a friend, a relationship that, as-is, wasn't really that great for me. A mutual friend who understood gave me the advice to shut the door... but leave the window open just a crack to allow for possible change in the future. It was good advice.
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