Reconciliation

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (2 Corinthians 5:18 KJV)

Do you believe that?

Even though the Bible tells us that all things work together to bring good to those who love God (Romans 8:28), should we really believe that all things – good, bad, indifferent – all things are of God? When we read the newspapers, watch television, in so many places just walk the streets and see how badly one person can treat another, can we see God’s love?

Yes, through those who have been reconciled to Him. We’ve been given the same ministry that Paul was given – reconciliation. That’s the goal of each of the ministries of our church, show how we made our decisions to follow Him instead of taking that wide path that leads away from Him.

It doesn’t stop at the church door. What we believe is reflected in our lives. What we say, what we write, what we do reflects how seriously we take the ministry. It is so much easier to say that it belongs in the hands of those trained to lead a church. It belongs to those who are called to his service, as Paul mentioned in Romans 1:1.

Nope. Those who follow Christ are all called.

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV)

Once we turned away, repented, from the list of sins in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, we are sanctified.

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV)

Our Lord came to minister. He said so, as He told us what to do.

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26-28 KJV)

So, as God restores us to harmony and fellowship with Himself, we should be praying for others that same changed relationship.

Really, Christians, aren’t we happy enough about our relationship to God to share that with others?

Sometimes we're not, because we would have to be reconciled to and change our relationship with some people we really don’t like, right? We can’t have it both ways. If we accept Christ’s reconciliation, we cannot in all honesty hold grudges, anger or animosity to anyone else. Take a look, and clear the decks for your ministry to go forward.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV)

Hands of God and Adam, detail from the Sistine Chapel fresco, Michelangelo, 1509 (Wiki Commons)