Developing A Ministry Of Reconciliation

In review of 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 it says, “[God] has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships. In other words, God was using Christ to restore his relationship with humanity. He didn’t hold people’s faults against them, and he has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others.”

Bottom Line:

God restored his relationship with us through Christ and he has given us this task of reconciling others to him. God used Christ to restore his relationship with the world, not holding people’s faults against them. He has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others.

What this means to me:

God has restored our relationships with him through Christ. He has given me the task of helping him reconcile others to himself. God was used Christ to restore his relationship with the world, not holding people’s faults against them. He has given me this message of restored relationships to tell others.

I’m being reminded today that there is a big difference reconciliation and resolution.

Reconciliation means reestablishing the relationship. It means you’re at peace with each other.

Resolution on the other hand means you resolve every disagreement, and frankly that just isn’t going to happen. There are some things in relationships in which you may never agree on, because we’re different. But I can disagree without being disagreeable. That’s maturity and wisdom. It’s much like being like Christ.

Unfortunately there’s a lot of conflict in the world. It’s filled with wars, division, arguments, prejudice and racism, terrorism, and partisanism. This results in broken relationships, broken lives and broken hearts.

My challenge for today is to commit myself to becoming an agent of reconciliation in a world filled with conflict. I should become a bridge builder, and not help build walls. I should look for ways to bring people together rather than tear them up.

Today’s verse says, “[God] has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships. In other words, God was using Christ to restore his relationship with humanity. He didn’t hold people’s faults against them, and he has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19, GW).

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I have a ministry of reconciliation. It’s my job to go out in society and say, “God’s done everything to put you back in fellowship with him. He’s already paid for all your sins. You don’t have to be his enemy. He’s not mad at you; he’s mad about you. Be reconciled to God. Be at peace with God. Then spread that peace with everybody else.”