Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Ministry of Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:14-24

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

As Christians, the importance of reconciliation is shared to us countless times. Reconciliation is different from forgiveness. We may be able to forgive someone who has wronged us, but it is difficult to restore broken relationships. Reconciliation is not a priority in today’s society, but it is important to God and should be important to us because we are His children.
Primary reconciliation occurs between God and man. When people need to be reconciled to one another, there is usually some fault from both parties to some degree. This is not the case between God and man. Man moved away from God because of his sin. We are the ones that need to be reconciled back to God, not the other way around.
Reconciling back to God is made possible because God took the initiative first. God sent His son, who knew no sin to become sin for us on the cross. It was the only way we could ever be presented as holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Col 1:22). God made an ultimate sacrifice for us because of His unfailing love. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians writes that God gave “us” the ministry of reconciliation and committed to “us” its message. In the New Testament we see that Jesus sent apostles into the world as his “ambassadors”to tell people that God earnestly and desperately needs us to be reconciled back to Him.

Our current job:
The ministry of reconciliation did not end with the apostles, it continues today.People are still lost in their sins, but God loves us the same. As Christians, we have the responsibility of being God’s ambassadors. We not only need to reconcile ourselves with God, but also spread the word of reconciliation to others for their sake. Many think that those who go after God are “out of their mind”. Surprisingly, this is a term that Paul uses in his letter too. However, if you truly believe Christ died for you and His love overwhelms you, you are in your “right mind”. Forget what the earthly world thinks of you. In whatever way you can serve: play an important role in God’s ministry of reconciliation today starting with yourself.

Prayer: Father, thank you for loving us despite our constant flaws. Thank you for dying on the cross for our sake, so we could be reconciled back to you. Help us to lead a blameless life and bring others closer to you. Overwhelm us with your love. Amen.
Thought for the day: Take it upon yourselves as ambassadors of Christ to play an active role in not only reconciling yourself back to God, but others.

Nicole Thomas, St. Johns MTC, NY


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