QUESTION: We talk a lot about reconciliation in our country. Is God's definition of reconciliation the same as the government's? What does the Bible say about reconciliation?

ANSWER: Achieving reconciliation between indigenous people and government has been an important subject matter in recent years as we have aimed at the hope of attaining a harmonious, healthy and equitable relationship between the parties that addresses the historical and current grievances unjustly faced by indigenous people. The topic of reconciliation has been and will continue to be the subject of much dialogue. Public awareness, through education, discussions, roundtables, has resulted in reconciliation being a continuing goal.

One question that has not received much analysis centers on what, if anything, does the Bible say about this topic? Here are some thoughts I have on the subject.

Differentiating between the biblical vs. governmental definition of the term "reconciliation" leads to the transformational truth that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, completed the greatest ever (historical and in perpetuity) act of reconciliation, when in obedience, He voluntarily shed his precious, sinless, spotless and Holy blood on the Cross at calvary. By doing so, He provided a means, a mode and a method for humanity to become adopted into the family of God and inherit eternal life, through the repentance of sin and by believing on His Holy name.

This act of reconciliation put to death the onerous burden that came with being under subjection to the law of Moses and the processes and demands encompassed therein. Thus, all the procedures and requirements of the law are rendered null and void when it comes to attaining salvation. Christ's death on the cross put an end to the requirement of the shedding of the blood of bulls, goats, the ceremonial tasks and processes that were mandated in order to be declared in right standing before God. Christ's death on the cross brings liberty, healing, freedom and is the most amazing gift of grace perfected through faith when a person believes on the name of Jesus Christ.

Interestingly, the New Testament Greek word katallange for reconciliation means an "exchange" or figuratively, an adjustment and a restoration to divine favor. However, the Old Testament Hebrew word kapar means to cover, figuratively to expiate, or condone, placate, cancel or atone, when addressing one's sin.

Historically, in the Old Testament, one time per year, the children of Israel would travel to the Temple to complete the rigid processes, comply with all the regulations and offer the required sacrifices to achieve atonement for the sins that they had committed during the year. Therefore, a person accomplished reconciliation by completing the requirements and demands contained in the law of Moses.

Interestingly, the required onerous Old Testament processes parallels with government of Canada's position when it comes to achieving reconciliation with Canada's First Nation people. The government definition is:

Reconciliation is an ongoing process through which Indigenous peoples and the Crown work cooperatively to establish and maintain a mutually respectful framework for living together, with a view to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable Indigenous nations within a strong Canada.

Therefore, the government recognizes that reconciliation can only be achieved with on-going cooperation and establishing processes in order to heal the damaged relationship with Canada's indigenous people. Similarly, the Old Testament required on-going processes to fulfil the demands of the law. Thus, the governmental and Old Testament biblical definitions of reconciliation require on-going, never-ending onerous burdens and processes.

Praise the Lord the New Testament establishes a new covenant when our Heavenly Father sent his only begotten Son into the world as the full atonement and Savior of mankind! The death of Jesus Christ put an end to the requirement of on-going processes and eliminated the demands of the law. Jesus gave his life in "exchange" for the penalty that we deserve as defined by the Greek word katallange. Jesus' death and triumphant resurrection was accomplished so that the most vile, wicked, lost, broken, despairing person could be made into a new creation.

God's greatest act of love and reconciliation was accomplished once and for all, when he sent his precious Son to die on the cross to reconcile all who would believe! Praise the Lord. Just as Jesus Christ voluntarily went to the Cross on our behalf and laid down his life for us, we can choose to receive the free gift of grace by voluntarily entering into relationship with him by placing our faith in his atoning gift! "Rejoice and be glad for great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:12).

-Steven Keesic, a former lawyer and worker with the Adult and Teen Challenge program, now lives on the Lac Seul First Nation and pastors at Whitefish Bay.