Ministry of Reconciliation Every Day

For several months now, my articles have focused on the task all Christ followers have been given by God Himself.  Found in the New Testament, the mandate is plainly stated:  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation (1 Cor. 5:17-19). Several articles on the message of reconciliation can be found on the WGA blog page of the website.  From the discussion of the definition of “reconciliation” in the third article, we concluded that “according to the dictionary and common usage, when we are reconciled, it means that our relationship is restored to a state that enables us to be compatible and friendly with one another again.”  We also found that reconciliation also refers to “the action of stopping someone from being angry” or “the action of mediating between two disputing people or groups.” I will wrap up our series on this topic with a look at seven daily focus points, as we go about the business God has given us in the Ministry of Reconciliation.

Seven Focus Points Daily

• Pray: “Lord, show me today where you are at work reconciling the world to Yourself, and Your people to each other.”
• Pay Attention: Where in your own sphere of influence is there a broken heart to remind of God’s love; where is there a foolish quarrel in need of soothing words; where is there a distance between people that ought to be bridged; where is a word of hope needed in place of despair?
• Say the Words: With a peaceful presence, sow the seeds of reconciliation to be planted in broken or warring hearts; be a bridge between two fellow Christ followers; speak words from “the God of all hope” into the abyss of despair wherever you might find it.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
• Walk the Walk: Speak soft words to the store clerk who just spoke to you dismissively, or volunteer first for the church or school project before they even ask.
• Think Twice before Posting: Ask yourself, “is my Facebook post building up or tearing down; is my Tweet bringing people together or pulling them apart?”
• Pray: “Lord, thank you for making me an instrument of your grace and peace, a minister of reconciliation today.”     

I am convinced that, as we live out the ministry of reconciliation in our daily lives, in the moments that present themselves to us at work, church, or at home, as we are faithful in these small things, the Lord will broaden our influence.  Then we will find ourselves with opportunities in the wider community, in our culture or even the world.  The whole earth is groaning with a need for this!  As the Scripture says, “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed”  (Romans 8:19). The context of this Scripture is the yearning of the entire creation, waiting for the fullness of God to be revealed in the fullness of time—the coming Glory.  But elsewhere in Scripture we are told “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13).  So I believe the promise is for now, even as we await the fulfillment to be complete at the end of time. I leave the reader with this astounding thought:  We contain within us now, in the land of the living, the means by which the Lord is bringing the world to Him, the words with which He is wooing people to Himself.  We are the messengers He sends; we are the workers He has chosen for the ministry of reconciliation. Lord, may we all be faithful workers in your fields.