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August 30, 2008
A Ministry of 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
The world abounds with people whose sin has alienated them from God. Christ's sacrificial
work has restored Christians to a love relationship with the heavenly Father. As
Christians, we are appointed as ministers of reconciliation. Once Christ dwells within us,
we become His ambassadors, and we entreat others to be reconciled to Him (2 Cor. 5:20).
We are God's messengers of peace, urging others to return to God (Matt. 5:9).
Sin breaks our relationship with God; it severs relationships with others as well. Broken
relationships are the epidemic of our day. Sin alienates family members, separates
friends, divides churches, and destroys marriages. Sin creates mistrust, jealousy, hatred,
and greed, all of which devastate relationships. Only Christ has the remedy for the
disastrous effect of sin on human relationships. As His ambassadors, we are to take the
message of reconciliation to a broken, divided world. We urge reconciliation first with
God, and then with each other.
How tragic when God's messengers of peace harbor enmity toward each other. It is a
travesty to carry a message of love and yet be filled with hatred. If there is someone
whom you refuse to forgive, your message of reconciliation is hypocrisy. The evidence
that you are a disciple of Jesus is that you love your fellow Christian (John 13:35). In
each of your relationships, make certain that your actions share the love and
forgiveness that reflect what you received from God. Then you will not only speak the
message of reconciliation, but you will live it as well.
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