Title: Reconciled to God – Living a Life That Reflects Jesus
Speaker: Justin Younger, Norris City Move Student Ministry Pastor
Main Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14–21; Colossians 1:19–22
The Love of Christ Compels Us – reconciled to God through Jesus
Open your Bibles with me this morning to 2 Corinthians chapter 5. I’m excited about the Word of God! Let’s start reading in verse 14:
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”
We need the Bible. We love the Bible. And today, I want to talk to you about reconciliation—what it really means to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
Reconciliation: Restoring Fellowship with the Father – reconciled to God through Jesus
Let me read a confirming passage from Colossians 1:19–21:
“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. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.”
Jesus came to restore us into right relationship with the Father. That’s the purpose of reconciliation. The word alienated means to be shut out from intimacy and fellowship. Sin separated us from God.
Romans 5:19 explains:
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
Sin entered the world through Adam. As a result, we were born with a sin nature. I never had to teach my two-year-old how to lie—he just did it. Why? Because he was born into sin, just like all of us.
We Needed a Redeemer – reconciled to God through Jesus
There’s no way to the Father except through Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. We needed a Redeemer—someone to reconcile us back to the Father.
Reconcile, by definition, means to call back into union and friendship. Another definition from the original text is:
“To change, exchange, as coins for others of equivalent value.”
That’s powerful. Jesus exchanged His life for ours. It had to be an equal exchange—man for man. Jesus’ sinless life for our sinful one. In the Old Covenant, animals were sacrificed, but that system only covered sin temporarily. Jesus came as the final, perfect sacrifice, and His blood washes away our sins completely.
Your Life Has Value – reconciled to God through Jesus
Here’s the truth: Jesus’ life was given in exchange for yours. That means your life is of equal value in that exchange.
Let that settle in. You are not worthless. You are not beneath Him. You were created in the image and likeness of God. You were predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus. You’re called to reflect Him—to talk like Him, walk like Him, live like Him.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
—2 Corinthians 5:17
This isn’t a partial transformation. You’re not just a sinner saved by grace. If you’ve died with Christ, you also live with Him. You’ve been made righteous in Christ Jesus.
Living as a New Creation – reconciled to God through Jesus
Many believers are still living in the identity of the old man. But when you come to Christ, the old has passed away. You don’t need to rehearse your mistakes anymore. God isn’t holding your sin over your head. When you repent, it’s covered by the blood—and God remembers it no more.
The call is to live as a new creation. Not just to get to heaven, but to walk with Jesus now. Jesus didn’t just save you from something—He saved you for something. You were created for relationship with God.
We don’t get to cherry-pick Scripture. Jesus calls us not just to believe in Him, but to follow Him. To deny ourselves and lay down our lives for Him.
Following Jesus Isn’t Casual – reconciled to God through Jesus
Jesus didn’t soften His call. He said, “Follow Me. Leave everything behind.” And people did. They didn’t follow because of what He did—they followed because of who He is.
Too many today are following Jesus for what He can do for them—not because they know Him. But when you know Him, that’s everything. Healing, deliverance—those are beautiful, but they’re not the goal. Jesus is the prize.
You don’t have to live trying to earn heaven. You already belong to Him. Live with Him, not just for Him. And if you’re not, it’s time to surrender.
Justin’s Story: A Moment That Changed Everything – reconciled to God through Jesus
I want to show you a picture. This is the day my life changed forever.
It’s a picture of my son, four months old, in a helicopter being life-flighted to Riley Children’s Hospital. We had an accident—he hit the back of his head, and it caused a bilateral skull fracture and bleeding on his brain.
In the car, I cried out to God:
*”Lord, take my life instead of his.”
We didn’t know if he’d make it. But 36 hours later, my son was healed, smiling, and home with us—completely restored.
Later, while delivering DoorDash, the Lord brought the memory back. He said:
“Justin, that day you offered your life for your son. But when will you start living for My Son who actually sacrificed His life for you?”
It shattered me. That was the moment I truly surrendered everything to Jesus.
A Living Sacrifice – reconciled to God through Jesus
Romans 12:1 says:
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
I’m not here because I’m perfect—I’m here because I met Jesus. When I learned my purpose wasn’t to survive, but to be transformed, everything changed.
You weren’t created to sit in a church service. You were created to manifest Christ—to be His image and His likeness in the earth.
You Don’t Have to Earn God’s Love – reconciled to God through Jesus
Stop tying your value to what you do. Your job, your title, your performance—it’s not your identity. If you lose it tomorrow, you’re still His.
God’s love for you isn’t based on your Bible-reading streak or how early you pray. His love is freely given. You don’t have to earn it. You receive it.
We don’t do things for identity—we do things from identity. When you live from the truth of who you are, your actions follow.
Identity and Obedience – reconciled to God through Jesus
We must stop living with a false humility that says, “I’m just a sinner, I’m just nothing.” That’s not humility—that’s devaluing what Jesus died for.
Jesus gave everything to bring you back into right relationship with the Father. Why live beneath the value He’s placed on your life?
He didn’t die just to get you to heaven—He died to get heaven to earth through you.
The Altar Call: Stop Living for You – reconciled to God through Jesus
It’s time to stop living for yourself and live for Jesus. Either you’re living for Him or you’re not.
If you’ve been dealing with suicidal thoughts, today is the day to be set free. The enemy is terrified of you discovering your value and identity in Christ. That’s why he tries to get you to destroy your own life.
But today, Jesus is saying:
“You’re worth dying for.”
Come and be reconciled to God. Come and be made new.
Final Encouragement – reconciled to God through Jesus
Jesus is everything you need. You were created for relationship with Him. You were made to be a living sacrifice—not out of obligation, but because you love Him.
“Go live for Him. Go be with Him. He is the prize.”
Don’t just pray to get something. Pray because you love Him. Don’t just read the Word as a duty. Read it because you desire Him.
He’s not calling you to religion—He’s calling you to relationship.