Before
looking at this sonship right, we will explore the meaning of the following two
words used in the title:
Ministry is 'service'. That means we
render service, or 'wait upon' others. It is specifically the labor we do in
serving.
Reconciliation means that there is a
change on the part of one party (person) only, induced by some action by
another party. That is, only one person changes their mind, and is reconciled
to the other.
The
following scriptures help to explain Reconciliation:
Romans 5: 10 --
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to
God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by
his life.
It
was because God offered His son for our sins (His action) that we can be
reconciled to Him.
Colossians 1: 20, 21 – And, having made peace through the blood
of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say,
whether they be things in earth,
or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your
mind by wicked works, yet now hath
he reconciled.
We
were once enemies of God, in our minds, but now, as believers, we are
reconciled to Him.
Ephesians 2: 16 -- And that he might reconcile both unto God in
one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
The
context of this verse is talking about how both Jew and Gentile are reconciled
together, into one body.
So
what is the Ministry of Reconciliation? E. W. Bullinger described it as 'the
office of advising, exhorting, beseeching men to be reconciled to God.' God
doesn't have to change, but man does. God proved His loved for us by the death
and resurrection of His son. It is up to each individual to decide to change
their mind in order to be reconciled to God.
II Corinthians 5: 18 -- And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by
Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
God
has given us the ministry of reconciliation, not Joe Smith who lives
down the street; not just the pastors and ministers of churches. Every born
again believer has the right and privilege of helping others to be reconciled
to God.
II Corinthians 5: 19 --To wit [know], that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us
the word of reconciliation.
Once
again, God has given to us the word of reconciliation. It is His Word
that we must speak. No words that man devises will reconcile others to God.
II Corinthians 5: 20 -- Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God did beseech you by
us: we pray you in Christ's
stead, be ye reconciled to God.
How
is that for a prestigious job?? You are an ambassador for Christ. An
ambassador is an authorized messenger or representative. Since neither God nor
Christ can be here to reconcile mankind, we are their representatives. Our
message to others: God loves you and gave His only son for you. We exhort you
to be reconciled to God.
How
do we perform this ministry? The first place to start is by our actions.
II Corinthians 3: 2, 3 -- Ye are our epistle written in our
hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of
Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the
living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
Others
will read us before they read the Bible. If the Word is in our hearts, we will act
like it. Do we act like we are reconciled to God? Do we manifest ‘agape’ -- the
love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation? If we do, the Word we speak
can have the desired impact on our listeners.
To
speak the Word of reconciliation, we must know it first. This can only be
accomplished by studying.
II Timothy 2: 15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
As
an ambassador, we are to speak boldly and with authority.
Ephesians 6: 20 -- For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that
therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
The
ministry of reconciliation is a right and privilege of the children of God. By
speaking the Word to others, we can help show them God's love for them, so they
will be reconciled to God.
I Timothy 2: 4 -- Who will have all men to be saved, and to come
unto the [accurate] knowledge of the
truth.
The
Ministry of Reconciliation was committed to us by God. If we don't move His Word,
it simply won't move. We are God's legs, arms, and mouth. One of the signs of a
truly committed Christian is whether or not he or she shares God's Word with
others. If someone didn't share God's Word with you, where would you be today?
Sometimes if we have fear about something, we have to confront that fear and
simply do what we fear. Then it just seems to disappear. Remember to do your
best. That is all God expects. When you share God's Word with others, you will get blessed. It's something you simply
have to experience.
Romans 10: 14, 15 -- How then shall they call on him in whom they
have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach,
except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that
preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
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