God’s offer of reconciliation is available to everyone. In that sense, it is unconditional. At the same time, though, it is not correct to say God’s friendship is also unconditional. God Himself has laid out the terms by which this reconciliation takes place: repenting and trusting Jesus alone
for salvation.


Most people on the street, if asked, would say they are Christians. Yet our society is plagued by crime, and churches are closing every day. Something is not matching up.


We like to think of Jesus as “Friend.” It’s a comforting word and an endearing thought. As disturbing to our self-righteousness as it is, we can’t call Jesus our Friend until we first call ourselves “sinners.” This truth is at the heart of Jesus’ statement about “coming for the sick”. Years later James would echo this when he wrote, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (4:6).


Peace with God is available to all through Christ. The greatest gift is ours for the asking – if we are humble enough to see our great need of it.