Scripture: Romans 5: 6-10; Matthew 5: 23- 24; 2 Corinthians 5:16- 19 and a brief reference to Genesis 19:26.
The VERSES tab has today’s Scripture if you don’t have a Bible handy.
Reconciliation is a signpost in the kingdom of heaven, sort of how we know we are in the right spot. These signposts pop up in numerous places in our lives as we continue our journey from the cross of Christ into eternal life.
This process of reconciliation is important in three areas:
1. Reconciliation with God. That’s the first one and the most important. The Word of God is a clear roadmap on how this reconciliation takes place – it is through Christ – and God started the process. Romans 5
At just the right time…
While we were still sinners…
God loved us…
And Jesus died in our place.
So while we were enemies of God because of our sins, God reconciled us to Himself by the sacrifice of Jesus.
It’s free … but priceless
2. Reconciliation with others. This was so important that Jesus taught – if we enter God’s house with an offering and remember that someone has something against us – we need to be reconciled to our brother first … then offer our gift.
2 Corinthians 5 goes on to elaborate more on this reconciliation … it’s the ministry God has given us because we are no longer looking at people from a worldly point of view.
We can’t carry a message to people if we are hostile toward them. We can’t function in a body of Christ if we have malice toward each other.
Reconciliation with others can be a bumpy road; carrying God’s message of reconciliation can be met with rejection… but we press on because God says so … and if people refuse?
Romans 12:18 – 19: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
As my son Ryan says since experiencing this … “God will make it right.”
3. Reconciliation with life circumstances. Remember the story of Lot and his wife fleeing when Sodom and Gomorrah were being destroyed? (if not read Genesis 19 – it is an awesome history)
They had specifically been instructed not to look back and not to stop. But Lot’s wife just couldn’t resist … and we know the rest – she was turned into a pillar of salt.
So here was a wife and mother who instead of sprinkling salt into the lives of her family, her new village, the world … was now a solid pillar of salt left in a barren place because of looking back.
That is what looking back does to us … we can’t move forward and we can’t sprinkle salt in the world. There is nothing we can do about what is behind us.
Philippians 3:12 – 14 – Paul talks about this specific thing – forget what is behind – press on to what is ahead – in Christ.
Is there a sin back there that we are living through the consequences of?
Perhaps the old places we have been look more attractive than where it seems we are going?
Reconcile to today. Accept – talk to God about it – and don’t look back.
Reconciliation goes on all the time. We need to stay reconciled with God by confessing our sins, repenting, and moving out of the area without looking back.
People … a tough reconciliation some days. But we make the effort because God Himself gave us the ministry and is dedicated in love to reconciling the world to Himself.
Life circumstances … designed for our good by our Lord – He will make everything right. Reconcile to where we are today and watch for guidance to get to tomorrow.
Join us on Thursday for the Allegory Story of Reconciliation.
May blessings and reconciliation be yours.