All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” vs. 18
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
It gave Paul great joy to announce the good news of the new life in Christ to the Corinthians, and he delights to write about the salvation that is ours by grace. But he then moves quickly to remind his readers that this great gift of grace is also an invitation and a call to mission. To put it plainly, those who are in Christ have been entrusted with a ministry of reconciliation. Where there is brokenness we are to bring healing and restoration.
Paul doesn’t give us a guidebook to this ministry – we are expected and equipped to figure it out on our own. Obviously the opportunities are endless. We see the need in our families and among our friends, and often in our congregations. And anyone with half a brain has seen the turmoil in our communities and in our country. There is enormous anger and hatred on every level and division is everywhere. Of course we’ll find the mission daunting – it seems impossible that people with such deep differences will even want to be reconciled. But we can make a beginning by simply adopting a reconciling attitude toward others, beginning with those who are closest. That means leading with affirmation and grace instead of judgment and law, and when others sense in us the presence of unconditional love they will be moved. After all, that’s how the Spirit works!
Thought for the Day: With whom am I seeking reconciliation?
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