DId God Really Say…

June 11, 2024

Read Joshua 22, Ecclesiastes 6, 2 Corinthians 5

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Reconciliation?” Do you think about balancing your checkbook? Do you think about the bills passed by the United States House in budget matters? Do you think about working something out with a friend or family member?

In 2 Corinthians 5 Paul tells us that first, we have been reconciled to God through Christ. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ” v. 18. In what way were we reconciled to God? In some sense several of the examples above are useful. Jesus balanced the ledger for us by paying the price for our sins on the cross. He also resolved the conflict between God and us enabling us to be in a right relationship with Him.

The second half of the verse Paul then explains our role as the ones who would help others be reconciled to God. “…and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” vv. 18-19. We have a responsibility to help others find peace with God by being reconciled to God from our sins. Paul illustrates this through the idea of an ambassador. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” v. 20.

The story is told of when Ronald Reagan became the President. He called all his ambassadors together for a time of instruction and greeting. He asked them to come to the podium one at a time and tell the audience which country they represented. One by one they came and announced the countries that they were going to travel to. After several people came to the microphone and shared President Reagan stopped them, He said, they had gotten it wrong. They all represented the United States, not the countries they were assigned to travel to. May we never forget as Christians who we represent, the Lord Jesus Christ. May we take our role as ambassadors serious and point as many people as possible to what Jesus stands for and help them understand the need for a walk with the Lord.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes do find as you read?
Add your thoughts below.