Over the years, I have continuously heard ministers discuss the importance of our calling to a ministry of reconciliation. The first time I ever heard about the ministry of reconciliation, our church was applying for “reconciliation ministry” grant, which offered funding to churches working on reconciling racial differences in the community.
Bridging racial divides is important. It is also important to note that it is not the call to a ministry of reconciliation like I have heard. In reading 2 Corinthians 5, the ministry of reconciliation is about friendship. God, in his great mercy, through his Son Jesus, did not count our sins against us. Instead he reconciled our relationship and committed us to share the message with others so they can also be reconciled to God.
According to Dictionary.com, reconciliation means “an act of reconciling, as when former enemies agree to an amicable truce”. In other words, we were once regarded as enemies of God because of our evil deeds, yet God reconciled us to himself through the death of His son. Romans 5:10 says “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
We are ambassadors for Christ, sharing the value of such friendship and inviting others to be a part of the family.
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