What are believers reconciled to God through?

Believers are reconciled to God primarily through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. This concept is fundamental in Christian theology, emphasizing the sacrifice made on the cross as the means through which humanity can be restored to a right relationship with God. The death of Jesus is viewed as an atonement for sin, satisfying divine justice and allowing for forgiveness and reconciliation.

This theological understanding is rooted in various biblical passages, such as Romans 5:10, which affirms that when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. Additionally, in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, it is stated that God was reconciling the world to Himself through Christ, indicating that the death of Jesus is central to the reconciliation process.

In contrast, while faith is necessary as a response to this reconciliation, it is not the means of reconciliation itself; rather, it is the believer's trust in what Christ accomplished through His death. The resurrection, though pivotal for affirming the victory over sin and death, comes after the act of reconciliation initiated through the cross. Good works, while a natural outcome of genuine faith and relationship with God, cannot achieve reconciliation on their own, as it is grounded in grace and not