Living ReconciledSample

Day Five: Courageous Attitude 5—You Have a Ministry

There is a big difference between desiring to be right, justified, or vindicated and having a thirst for reconciliation. There is also a big difference between wanting to control others through disingenuous reconciliation and having a passion for authentic reconciliation. Here is a fact: even when others may not wish to reconcile with you, you can still be reconciled with others. How? Nobody can steal a reconciliation from you that is based not on works but on faith in Jesus.

When it comes to reconciliation and when it comes to conflict, the same gospel that reconciles us to God reconciles us to each other. The love that abides in us is the same love we demonstrate to others. This love is the “all these things” (2 Corinthians 5:18) God speaks of regarding the new creation He has placed in each believer. It isn’t as if believers have one set of love for God and a lesser set of love toward others. Therefore, as we love God, so must we love others, and that brings clarity to “all these things are from God.”

In the conflict you are in right now, are you returning evil for evil? Are you threatening because you have been threatened? Or are you entrusting yourself to God the Father? He is a good, good God. He is a just judge. He is a righteous advocate. He will bring perfect justice. Can you trust Him not to wink at the injustice done toward you? Can you trust Him to be fair and honest to you and to the other person?

So what is this ministry of reconciliation about? Always live in love with one another.

When unbelievers see believers reconcile with each other, it draws them to the gospel. Reconciliation only comes through the gospel—the death, burial, resurrection, and appearance of Jesus Christ. Jesus laid down His life for all believers. His death is the clearest example of authentic reconciliation.

Every follower of Jesus has the ministry of reconciliation. This ministry is intended both to draw people to the cross and an understanding of the gospel and to be a constant expression that, through our relationships, draws people to God. 

Ask  yourself: how can I serve the person I am in conflict with? How can I minister to them? How can I demonstrate the gospel? How do I live in daily reconciliation with them? These are tough questions we must answer if we desire true reconciliation and peace.