Baker’s
Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology defines reconciliation this way:
“Reconciliation comes from the Greek family of words that has
its roots in allasso [ajllavssw]. The meaning common to this word group is
"change" or "exchange." Reconciliation involves a change in
the relationship between God and man or man and man. It assumes there has been
a breakdown in the relationship, but now there has been a change from a state
of enmity and fragmentation to one of harmony and fellowship.”
2
Corinthians 5:17-19 (AMP)
17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith
in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy
Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have
passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a
new life]. 18 But all these things are from God, who reconciled us
to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the
ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has
committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor
with God].
It is
exciting to recognize that God does love people, He hasn’t just taken a back
seat just to watch us from the background. He is alive and active in our lives
if we are in Christ.
That is the
real beauty of this scripture passage as it speaks of God’s continued work in
us being “…reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit” in the present tense.
It is
difficult sharing this “…new thing” with others especially in a secular
workplace due to corporate restrictions on sharing one’s faith or
proselytizing, but what we can do is demonstrate this new life by our changed
lives and attitudes.
The heart of
Jesus for the ones who are scattered like lost sheep is that of compassion and
deep love. He knew that those who were lost also needed to hear the good news
of reconciliation just like the damaged and fragmented people in our present day.
2
Samuel 14:14 (VOICE)
14
Everyone dies—we are like water spilled in the dust that can’t be reclaimed.
But God will not waste a life—He won’t allow the banished one to be exiled
permanently from His presence.
God uses us
to speak of His love to others so that they may also come to the knowledge of
God’s tender mercies just like you and I did.
Even the ones who have felt banished due to their actions or the actions
of others have an honored place with Jesus who receives them where they are at. Jesus never places expectations upon anyone
to be anything other than what they are.
God never wastes a hurt or an injustice done to us. He takes that hurt
and turns it around for our benefit so that we can grow from it and that He can
receive glory from it.
Romans
5:10 (AMP)
10
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His
Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved
[from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because
Christ lives today].
The love of
God transcends human experience and draws us into a dimension we commonly call
the presence of God. It is God’s
presence which is the desire of the nations and the desire and the longing of our
hearts. Many songs and hymns have been
written about the beauty and richness of being in God's presence. There is nothing
else on earth that one can compare God’s presence with. Many are unaware that God desires to be
close to His people and that He wants for us to know His presence with us.
Psalm
139:4-7 (AMP)
4
Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken],
Behold,
O Lord, You know it all.
5
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And
[You have] placed Your hand upon me.
6
Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It
is too high [above me], I cannot reach it.
7
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or
where can I flee from Your presence?
When each of
us come to Christ and are born again we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God. This same Spirit begins the work of making us more Christ-like by changing our
thought processes to reflect the very nature of Christ Himself in our daily
lives and how we interact with others.
As we read the word of God the substantive power of the scriptures
becomes a part of our everyday thinking and responses. The purpose of this
transformation is to develop the mind of Christ that we may share this new life
with others who need what we can offer. I have repeated the 2 Corinthians 5 passage below from the first verse above including verse 20 emphasizing how Paul saw our position in Christ.
2
Corinthians 5:17-20 (AMP)
17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith
in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy
Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have
passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a
new life]. 18 But all these things are from God, who reconciled us
to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the
ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to
Him], 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to
Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He
has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to
favor with God].
20
So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through
us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be
reconciled to God.
There are
many lives which need to be reconciled to God and to others. We can actually live
our entire lives without realizing that true reconciliation (according to God’s design) involves
forgiveness and a desire to restore the other person. We can feel like we are only 1% wrong while
the other person is 99% wrong, but true reconciliation is taking responsibility
for our part and forgiving the other person their offenses and allowing God the
opportunity to direct us and guide our thoughts and actions in ways that please
Him, and declare His fame and glory to others.
 |
| Reconciliation Statue outside Coventry Cathedral |
There has been much damage done in times past to young Christians and families hearing an incomplete Gospel message preached devoid of mercy. There have been unscrupulous “evangelists” who took full advantage of young impressionable Christians. These were the proverbial “…wolves in sheep’s clothing” who cared nothing about the flock of God. Believers were told to trust God fully, and to quit their jobs and live by faith. What kind of message does this give impressionable youth? God does not tell people “en masse” to leave their jobs with no way to support oneself or their family, God may tell you individually, but this kind of direction should come from one’s own relationship with God, and from mature pastoral counseling.
Ephesians
5:17 (AMP)
17
Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp
what the will of the Lord is.
My
Grandmother was led down this path which had done immeasurable damage to her
immediate family. The scriptures tell us
to be wise and not foolish, to trust God in
our circumstances and let Him work in
our lives and our present circumstances, not to foolishly make arbitrary decisions
and try to get ahead of God. These types of decisions can have a devastating
impact upon families. My Grandmother
thought she trusted God in making these types of decisions as a young Christian. Unfortunately, it alienated her immediate family. The younger children were taken by child protective services and raised in foster care. She left behind an extremely negative
testimony and her family ended up never reconciling with either her or God, and her family lived their entire lives without ever knowing God's mercy.
How much
better it would have been for my Grandmother to trust God in her present
circumstance and ask God to use her in her job to be a positive testimony by
leading people to Christ through her words and character while still providing
for her family?... rather than getting out in front of God and stepping away from her
job...putting her family at risk with no income.
God always looks at the bigger picture, not just the immediate need.
Galatians
5:22-23 (AMP)
22
But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love
[unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability
to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23
gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
God does test
and try our faith for our benefit to prove to us that our trust in Him is
genuine, but we must look at the outcome of our faith and determine if we are
producing fruit...that is our test. If we
find we are lacking in our faith or need to mature, we need to ask God to give us
wisdom and guidance that we may become fruitful.
James
1:5 (AMP)
5
If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance],
he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and
without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.
We must be
reconciled to others as a testimony of the hope that resides within us. If we
fail in this part we can leave behind collateral damage which hinders others from coming to
Christ Jesus.
Ask the Lord
to give you His heart for others that you may demonstrate His deep love and
forgiveness for others.
Reconciliation
is a big word which encompasses much in our Christian walk of faith. Jesus
reconciled you to God and now you are in Christ Jesus, so you are also a
reconciler because of Christ in you.
Step out and forgive and be forgiven. Reconciliation releases us to be
free from the burden of guilt and pain.
It starts
with us!
Stephen Barnett
God is good all the time―all the time God is good!
What a Child is Meant to Be
By: Kathryn Scott
By: Kathryn Scott
In my weakness I find
That your strength knows no bounds
And in my loneliness I find
That the everlasting arms surround me
And even with this fragile heart
I find a place to rest here,
Safe where you are…
And I am fal - ling into grace again
And I am run - ning where mercy never
ends
Lord I’m learning that your love can
cover me
You are teaching me
What a child is meant to be
Copyright © 2000 Vineyard Songs
(UK/Eire)
International copyright secured. All
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