Romans 5:1 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reconciliation is fixing a relationship that has been broken. The relationship between man and God that was broken because of sin comes under this because sin separates us from the Father, therefore, Christ had to die to reconcile man back to the Father.
Therefore being—having been justified by faith, we have peace with God.
We could not do anything to undo the effect of sin, sin which has damaged our relationship with the Lord beyond repair, but God in His grace reached out to us through the death of Jesus to wipe the record of sin, because this has been extended to us, we too are to reconcile man back to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
Reconciliation begins with the recognition that without Jesus Christ we are lost and could be eternally separated from the God Father.
So many nations of the world such as China and Germany had dividing walls separations sections due to fraction and war, the same can be said about the spiritual walls that divide or separates from the Lord.
Not only did Christ remove the walls that separate believers from God but He also shatters the walls that separate the walls dividing believers from each other because we are brought near and together to God through the sacrificial love of Christ. Even though these walls may be academic, racial, political or economic- every wall is breached by Christ. Ephesians 2:11-21.
The ministry of reconciliation justifies us by the blood of the Lamb and freely by His grace, granting us peace with God the Father.
With man-to-man reconciliation, we remember that Paul in Philemon 1:10-12 reconciled a slave, (Onesimus) to his master as a Christian brother and fellow members of God’s family.
Reconciliation means that we reestablish a broken relationship- a marriage, family, parental, business and friendship. Whatever the barriers or walls between people are raised, it causes differences, social inequality, misunderstanding and breaks down- but Christ can break down these walls and bring reconciliation.
As believers and members of the body of Christ, when we become reconciled and transformed, we must not allow strife, differences, arguments and misunderstanding separates us from each other and from the Lord. Reconciliation always requires someone to take the first step.
We must avoid grudges and revenge because it is counterproductive to the ministry of reconciliation. In fact, Hebrews 12:14 commands us to pursue peace with everyone and in Matthew 5:24, our offering won’t be accepted until we have reconciled with our brother.
Reconciliation is the basis of Paul’s apostolic ministry of the new covenant (Paul’s own reconciliation to God through Christ).
The essential content of the ministry of reconciliation is the forgiveness of sins because of Christ’s death.
Reconciliation begins with the will of God according to 2 Corinthians 5:18 “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ.” That couldn’t be stated any more clearly.
Reconciliation is a divine provision by which God’s holy displeasure against man was appeased, the hostility removed, and the relationship restored. And this is at the very heart of the gospel, reconciliation. Everything we do is directed toward the faith of sinners who can be reconciled to God. This is our calling, the ministry of reconciliation.
Shalom
