Ministry of Reconciliation

VERSE: 2 Cor 5:18 "Now all {these} things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation".


THOUGHT: I couldn't but help share this on THINK BOUT THIS!. This was first shared at my house church(we meet as small groups on weekdays) by Shannon Pinto. This verse and this entire thought hit me and changed my life and I am sure it will help those who maybe struggling in this area.

Firstly, you need to have a heart of mercy to mend a broken relationship. In 2 Cor 2:7(a), Paul advises the Corinth Church that had a problem in reconciliation. It says, "so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort {him,}". Paul advises them to forgive and comfort the person. Secondly we ought to be peacemakers and not just peace lovers. Matt 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Keeping all this in mind let us look at:

FIVE STEPS TO RECONCILIATION IN A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP.

1. Talk to God before you talk to the person.
This is the first important step.Ps 62:8 says, "Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us". secondly, keep your cool as it says in James 1:19,20 {This} you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak {and} slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Finally even if the other person or group involved in the relationship has made the mistake, don't fret.Ps 37:1 says, "Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers".

2. Always take the initiative
The perfect example in the Word is Matt 5:23, 24 "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering". The initiative counts in the case of a broken relationship.

3. Sympathize with their feelings
These verses sum up this statement, Phil 2:3,4 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not {merely} look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others". Humility is a key in mending a relationship.

4. Confess your part of the conflict
A perfect reminder is in Matt 7:3 which says, "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?". Accepting your part in the entire conflict can help resolve the issue.

5. Do not justify
This can sometimes be hard. But Jesus could be the perfect example. 1 Pet 2:21-23 says, "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting {Himself} to Him who judges righteously.".


THOUGHT: Are you ready to embrace the ministry of reconciliation that Christ has asked us to embrace?

The 'Trust' Factor

VERSE: Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37: 4, 5

These very familiar verses remind us of the ‘Trust factor’ and also a truth that we as believers must remember to follow just as King David did. King David, the mighty King of Israel is writing His own experience with the Lord who met the desires of his heart. David reminds us to ‘delight yourself in the Lord’ which means that we ought to have a relationship with Him that brings joy and pleasure. A relationship always involves 2 or more persons who know each other very well. Now in order to have an enjoyable relationship we ought to know Him better. This can be done through the continual reading of His Word and also communicating to Him through prayers and intercessions. The next verse talks about not only committing your way to Lord but also trusting in Him. That is what many believers forget. We commit our way to the Lord but we do not put our complete trust in our Saviour. The combination of enjoying a relationship with Him, committing your way to Him and trusting Him completely will help us meet the desire of our heart. These desires of ours will be pleasing to our Savior if this entire combination of Truth is taken in to account.

THOUGHT: Do I have the 'trust factor' in my relationship with my Savior?

All verses have been quoted from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.