OUR RECONCILIATION

Reconciliation is the restoration of friendly relations. It is the byproduct of salvation as a result of the atonement. The reconciliation of God and mankind was made possible through Jesus Christ. Reconciliation is not an ordinary peacemaking; it is peacemaking with an eternal perspective and value. Its purpose is eternal because it affords every man the privilege to spend eternity with God.

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

When we receive Christ and make Him our Lord, He gives us a permanent and eternal life to be with Him in His glory through Christ. Once we've received this life, Paul adds that, 'having been reconciled to God, we are also given the ministry of reconciliation.' God immediately gives to us the "ministry of reconciliation." By this, Paul means that God has given us the mission to carry and spread the gospel everywhere and the message of this reconciliation with God is designed to reach as many people as possible.

Though we have different kinds of ministries today, they all come under the canopy of the ministry of reconciliation. 1 corinthians 12:4-6 (KJV) says, 'Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.' So we cannot argue that there are different ministries and diverse operations within our churches taday, but they all function under the ministry of reconciliation, because every born again Christian has been given or called to fulfil the minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). The ministry of reconciliation is not just meant for pastors, evangelists, apostles, teachers or the ordained, it's a ministry for every child of God until Christ's return.

How do we reconcile others to God? By sharing the gospel with them. The glorious gospel of Christ is that word of reconciliation that persuades sinners to lay aside their enmity against God. As faithful ministers, we are Christ's ambassadors on earth (see 2 Corinthians 5:20). We represent Him in this world and our job description is to implore sinners to receive Christ and be saved so they can be at peace with God. We come in God's Name, with His entreaties, and act in Christ's stead, doing the very thing He did while on earth. Therefore, the ministry of reconciliation is the continuation of Jesus' ministry on earth and it focuses on reconciling men to God.

Beloved, Christ's love compels us to share the good news with people, and in the process, they are reconciled to God through faith in Christ Jesus. Don't let men keep living without hope or without Christ in the world (see Colossians 1:27). Share the Word with them and let them know that God is not counting their sins against them because Jesus has died for their sins. Instead God gives them credit for Christ's righteous life, if they embrace Him as Lord ( 2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV). Therefore, as Christ's ambassadors on earth, we must regularly persuade men to be reconciled to God by leading them to Christ.

Scripture Reading - Mark 16:15; Romans 10:13-14; 1 Corinthians 9:16; 2 Peter 3:9.

Guided Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I'm forever grateful that you are rich in mercy, and by your great love, you made it possible for me to be reconciled to you through Christ Jesus. According to your Word, you've given me the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore I'm all out for the gospel, taking advantage of every opportunity to preach it from my place of glory and victory in Christ. As I share the Word, I thank you for restoring men to yourself and bringing them into an everlasting relationship with you, by the influence and guidance of your Spirit in Jesus' Name, Amen!