Ministry of Reconciliation

​By Jill Perry

God reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave US the ministry of reconciliation. 
​2 Corinthians 5:18 NASB

• Reconciliation begins with Relationship. In Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman, He didn't immediately launch into a sermon, but simply asked her for a drink of water, the most basic of common human needs. We can follow His example by focusing more on what we have in common with someone than how we differ. "When we demonstrate the same love He has for us by loving one another, everyone will know that we are His true followers." Who is "another"? Are we only called to demonstrate love to another who looks, thinks, behaves, votes, or believes like us? Because of Jesus' willingness to have one uncomfortable conversation, many from the entire city ended up reconciled to God!
• Reconciliation is our Responsibility. In the story of the good Samaritan, the priest and Levite walked right on by the man who was hurting. Why? Here is what Pastor Dharius Daniels says, "Their mindset was, 'I didn't cause that. Why should I take responsibility for helping him up when I didn't knock him down?' This might be an understandable attitude from unbelievers, but as believers, the only reason we're here is because God solved a problem He didn't cause. The Gospel is the story of God getting mankind out of a predicament that mankind got itself into. God didn't look at Adam and say, 'Well, you broke it, you figure it out.' What Love says is, 'Even if I didn't help you break it, I'm gonna help you fix it.'"
• Reconciliation happens when we Recognize God's activity and Respond. Sadly, many Christians are more known for what we're against, than what we're for. When Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath, the religious leaders were more upset by what day of the week it happened than the fact that a miracle had just occurred. God has a plan, it is good, and it will be fulfilled one way or another. I don't know about you, but I do not want to miss out on what God is doing because I'm too busy criticizing the way it happens. Lord, open our blind eyes to recognize what You are doing and how You want us to respond.