Ministry of Reconciliation
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (ESV)
We long for wholeness and satisfaction. God’s holy word tells us the void we experience is spiritual and is caused by our separation from God the Father. Reconciliation with God the Father is only available through Christ Jesus (see Romans 5:11 and 2 Corinthians 5:18). Christ Jesus alone is the source of life abundant (see John 10:10), living water (see John 4:14), life (John 14:6). He is the only way to God the Father.
In contrast to the world, we focus on spiritual truth. Marketing campaigns would have us imagine the physical products they pitch will satisfy our spiritual yearnings, but we know that is impossible. Proponents of critical race theory would have us see, categorize and judge each other by the color of our skin, proclaiming an impenetrable barrier between the categories, but we know every human is a member of one race – the human race – and is God’s image bearer (see Genesis 1:27). Purveyors of pornography would have us focus on physical features of people and images around us, turning fellow human beings into objects of desire. Even as we consume content in the digital realm, many tend to focus on phy sical matters while overlooking the spiritual. But as followers of Christ Jesus, we view life and the people around us through the lens of eternity, recognizing the spiritual realm in which we live, longing to tell everyone that reconciliation with God the Father through Christ Jesus is available to them, and through Christ Jesus, reconciliation among people is also available. We must merely receive God’s holy gift of grace. And time is short.
Scripture reminds us that our bodies are merely temporary housing for our souls and spirits, a tent if you will (see 2 Corinthians 5:1-5). While we live in our bodies, we aim to please our Lord and Savior, knowing the tent in which we dwell is short-lived, and we groan with burdens of life on earth, but we know through Christ Jesus, “what is mortal may be swallowed up by life” (2 Corinthians 5:4). Isn’t that beautiful imagery? We will be swallowed up by life. As followers of Christ, with the indwelling Holy Spirit, we will be swallowed up by life and “death shall be swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54).
As followers of Christ Jesus, “we regard no one according to the flesh” (2 Corinthians 5:16). This thought is the absolute antithesis of the world around us today. Pause for a moment and ponder what the world would be like if that were true for everyone. What industries would cease to exist as folks turn their focus from physical matters to spiritual truth, recognizing the futility of focusing on that with is temporal while ignoring that which is eternal.
God’s holy word reminds us that everyone who is in Christ Jesus is a new creation. The old has passed away. This is an amazing gift from God. He is merciful and gracious. Through Christ Jesus, we are made new, we are given new life, and we are reconciled with God the Father, and He gives us “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Through Christ Jesus, God the Father does not count our past sins against us. Through Christ Jesus, He deems us worthy of relationship with Him, He offers us the chance to live our best possible life through Christ Jesus, which means becoming “the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21), and He entrusts to us His message of reconciliation. He instructs us to tell the world about this awesome good news – through Christ Jesus, God desires that you, each person on earth, would be reconciled with Him. He does not desire that anyone would perish, but He is patient so that people have the opportunity to hear and believe and repent (see 2 Peter 3:9).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
If God wants people to hear the good news, if He wants everyone to believe and repent, and He entrusts His message of reconciliation to us, how are we responding? What does your ministry of reconciliation look like? How do you communicate that message to the world around you?
Many see God as judgmental, looking to punish, restricting humans from having fun and enjoying life. But that is a lie. In fact, it is a repeat of the first lie recorded in Scripture. The serpent explained that God desires to keep good things from people, that His boundaries are designed to stop people from having fun, that He is power-hungry, desiring to block people from becoming like He is (see Genesis 3:1-6). But we know God desires that we engage in relationship with Him. Our problem is the incompatibility of God’s holiness and our sinfulness. We are filthy, but Christ Jesus washes us. He makes us clean. He takes away our sin, gives us new life and offers reconciliation with God. Through Christ Jesus we return to the garden where God communes with His people.
Everyday God places people in our paths. He gives us opportunities, and the corresponding responsibility, to serve as His ambassadors on earth. He entrusts us with His message of reconciliation, instructing us to proclaim His message of hope, grace and love, balanced with the reality of His wrath. How will you respond today?
I pray we each have ears to hear and eyes to see His holy message to His people. Amen.