"Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me..."
I have been amazed over the years at how God affirms things that I am doing. Our Sunday service was a conclusion to the Gospel Project that we have been doing for the last 40 days. The service, "At The Cross", was appropriating God's reconciliation and peace "through the blood of the cross" (Colossians 1:20). The following was one my devotionals Sunday in Blackaby's "Experiencing God Day by Day".
A Ministry of Reconciliation
"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself
through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation."
2 Corinthians 5:18
The world abounds with people whose sin has alienated them from God. Christ's sacrificial work has restored Christians to a love relationship with the heavenly Father. As Christians, we are appointed as ministers of reconciliation. Once Christ dwells within us, we become His ambassadors, and we entreat others to be reconciled to Him (2 Cor. 5:20). We are God's messengers of peace, urging others to return to God (Matt. 5:9).
Sin breaks our relationship with God; it severs relationships with others as well. Broken relationships are the epidemic of our day. Sin alienates family members, separates friends, divides churches, and destroys marriages. Sin creates mistrust, jealousy, hatred, and greed, all of which devastate relationships. Only Christ has the remedy for the disastrous effect of sin on human relationships. As His ambassadors, we are to take the message of reconciliation to a broken, divided world. We urge reconciliation first with God, and then with each other.
How tragic when God's messengers of peace harbor enmity toward each other. It is a travesty to carry a message of love and yet be filled with hatred. If there is someone whom you refuse to forgive, your message of reconciliation is hypocrisy. The evidence that you are a disciple of Jesus is that you love your fellow Christian (John 13:35). In each of your relationships, make certain that your actions share the love and forgiveness that reflect what you received from God. Then you will not only speak the message of reconciliation, but you will live it as well."
Isn't that something? Stop by again. Better still, come to Dwight and see what God is doing.
Blessings to you all,
Bro. Vince
