Ministry of Reconciliation

Tuesday Devotional: Today’s devotional is from 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 and is about reconciliation and the ministry of reconciliation.

LISTEN TO TODAY’S READING

SCRIPTURES FOR TODAY: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10

Verse 11-12: Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

Verse 13-15 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again

Verse 16-17: So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Verse 18-19: All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Verse 20-21: We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

THOUGHTS & RELEVANCE FOR TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

Reconciliation, is an element of salvation that refers to the results of atonement. Reconciliation is the end of the estrangement, caused by original sin, between God and humanity. … God is the author, Christ is the agent and we are the ambassadors of reconciliation!

Verse 11-12: Whenever you see “fear the Lord”, this is a reverential fear of who God is. In this scripture Paul is trying to let people know there should also be a real fear of what is to happen with people if they do not turn to Jesus. Paul is trying to persuade people that we have an opportunity to make peace with God.

Verse 13-15 Paul did get a lot of criticism, and we will too when we speak about Jesus and the truth that He offers. (out of our minds). Because Paul was so compelled to share the love that Jesus showed for us that he didn’t care what people thought of him. He wanted people to know and understand what Jesus did for us.

Verse 16-17: We are totally new person; when God comes into our lives He turns us inside out, upside down and up right. All of our past is wiped away, forgiven, and forgotten. Because of this we are not able to see people like we used to, we see them through the eyes of Jesus (through love and compassion). This is so powerful because we are given a second change – the reconciliation where we can now again have a relationship with God Almighty.

Verse 18-19: Everything we have been given, this gift of a relationship (reconciliation) with God is from God. Everything done through Jesus was for us and for us to be restored with God. This ministry of reconciliation is sharing this good news with others. To be more to the point, religion is man made where reconciliation provides us with the opportunity for a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Verse 20-21: We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, (we have been chosen to have a relationship with the Lord) as though God were making his appeal through us (people should see Jesus in our lives; we are different type of people). Jesus who knew no sin, took our sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. (we can become more like God in our character and the way we live our lives).

DAILY DEVOTIONALS

DAILY DEVOTIONALS are biblical based mini studies to encourage you, help you grow on your journey, and to inspire you to share with others!

• Sunday: Video teachings with a variety of teachers, bishops, and pastors.
• Monday: Hearing from God Each Morning (365 Daily Devotional) Joyce Meyer
• Tuesday: Study of a book in the bible along with scripture readings (II Corinthians)
• Wednesday: Jesus Calling; Enjoying Peace in His Presence (365 Daily Devotional) Sarah Young
• Thursday: Becoming A Vessel God Can use; Donna Partow
• Friday: Our Daily Bread; that tiny little monthly booklet that reaches people around the world with the life-changing wisdom of the bible
• Saturday: Created For Excellence; 12 Keys to Godly Success, Kevin Baerg