“God
reconciled us to Himself through Christ
And
gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18
What
is the “ministry of reconciliation”? The dictionary describes reconciliation as
“an adjustment of a difference; restoration to favor; atonement”. So,
the ministry of reconciliation effectively means “to put our faith into action
by seeking to habitually restore relational damage”.
Personal
example: (Preface:
Jesus must be coming soon or we Cleary’s are “going Home” soon, because these
kind of events don’t “simply occur”, they’re “God orchestrated”.)
Within a ONE-week timeframe 5 individuals,
who reside near and FAR, have “popped” back into our life. What was their
common thread? An unresolved relational issue. What transpired? Each of the 5
separate relationships has miraculously been restored to a position of
forgiveness and much understanding.
Jesus tells us this, “If you are offering your gift at the altar
and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your
sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come
and offer your sacrifice to God.” Matt. 5:23-24
Yes, Jesus tells us to do a lot of difficult things. But in
the heat of the moment, when push comes to shove, what might make us want to do the “it” in our own
life the way Jesus advises? The primary motivation for us these days is His soon and coming return as Matthew 24
forewarns.
World events are indeed “cooking up” rapidly. From global
physical calamities (like hurricanes, earthquakes and predicted astronomical cataclysmic
events), to our vast moral decay (like the entertainment industry’s
unquenchable quest for lust, or aggressive public demands for specific “rights”
that God condemns; or lies and deceit being honored in our highest offices), to
the rise of hatred towards Israel by all
nations (like the latest UN vote to split Israel and surrounding nations
committed to her annihilation; or Russia supplying Iran who in turn supplies
Gaza, etc.); to recent strides towards one world government (like numerous current
UN sanctions designed to strip all countries of self-governance akin to taking
over the internet, etc.); to strides towards one world religion (like Islamic
predictions that the Mahdi will return within the year and bring the “peace of
Islam” to all nations which they believe will be brought about by worldwide
chaos, created by worldwide jihad); etc., etc. (For more in-depth info. study
Gen. 10 with Ezek. 37-39; Dan. 11; Ps. 83; Matt. 24 with 1Thess. 4-5, 1Tim. 4;
2 Tim. 3-4; and Rev. 17-22)
It’s time to get our lives in order. God has given us the “end of
days road map”, laying out detailed “signs” over and over and over again in His
Word. He deeply desires us to know these signs and then to order our lives
accordingly.
We implore you on
Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5:20
With the things of God, may we choose not be apathetic or
complacent this week!
Much love, ~Shaun and
Betsy
