Reconciliation

Scripture:  II Corinthians 5:18-21 - And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

For such a time as this we as born again believers in the Body of Christ should be excited and have much joy despite what we are going through, because Jesus Christ has redeemed us from our former sinful lifestyle!  We were enemies of God because of our sin nature, which separated us from God.  (Romans 5:8-11 -  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.)  God brought us back to Himself (reconciled) by blotting out our sins (taking away our sins)!  (Ephesians 2:13-16)  (Colossians 2:14 - Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.) (II Corinthians 5:21)  We as born again believers in Christ are no longer God’s enemies, because we have been reconciled back to God through a  personal relationship with Jesus Christ!!!

We now have  the privilege of encouraging others to do the same.  We have the ministry of reconciliation according to II Corinthians 5:19.  Reconciliation is God bringing sinful man back to Him through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which is the gospel, the good news of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection power (I Corinthians 15:3-4). Man has a heart problem, which is a spiritual problem.  Because of one man’s sin (Adam), death came upon all mankind.  (Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:6-7, Romans 5:12-20).  Sin separated mankind from God.  (Ephesians 2:4-6)

God has called believers to be His ambassadors (II Corinthians 5:20-21)  We as ambassadors of Christ have a mission/responsibility to represent His Kingdom on earth.  Additionally, He is calling/pleading unbelievers to come to Christ by believing in Him with all of your heart – to repent/turn from sin to Christ for forgiveness of sins according to II Corinthians 5:21.  Jesus Christ became flesh (put on skin to die for our sins).  He became a man in human body and died on the cross for all of mankind (the whole world).  (I John 2:1-2 - My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.)  Jesus Christ took our place on the cross and died for our sins.  He knew no sin but our sins were placed upon Him.  It is called the great exchange – where we exchanged all of our sins for all of His righteousness.  That is good news!  We as born again believers need to go and proclaim to all of the world what Christ has done for us!  (Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.)  We should not take this responsibility lightly. Remember the four things that Pastor Cockrell taught us that should be focused on:  evangelism (outreach of the lost); edification (in reach of the saints); education (of the lost); and exaltation (of Jesus Christ).  Are you fulfilling the responsibility of being an ambassador for Christ?

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  I am so thankful for my salvation!  It gives me joy to know that You have forgiven a sinner such is me, and now I have a personal relationship with You!  Help us as the Body of Christ to be intentional about declaring the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection power, which is the only hope for this dying world.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(by Min. Robert Williams)