RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-04-23	Ministry of Reconciliation
		Our Ministry of Reconciliation We have all seen where two friends have something that comes between them and now they do not speak to one another. Their good relationship is strained. These friends gradually become strangers. What they need is reconciliation. To be reconciled is to be restored to friendship. When old friends resolve their differences and restore their relationship, reconciliation has occurred. The New Testament speaks of the importance of reconciliation. 2Co 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation 2Co 5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Reconciliation involves removing rebellious and sinful man’s enmity (active hostility) toward God Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of atonement. Christ bore mankind’s sin on the cross (1Pe.2:24) providing for our atonement. Reconciliation is the end of our estrangement, caused by original sin, between God and humanity. So Christ's death on the cross makes possible human reconciliation to God (Rm.5:10-11). The fact that we needed reconciliation means that our relationship with God was broken. Since God is holy, we were the ones to blame. Our reconciliation to God, then, involves the exercise of His grace and the forgiveness of our sin. The result of Jesus’ sacrifice is that our relationship has changed from enemy to friend (Jn.15:15). Christian reconciliation is a glorious truth! Our entire relationship with God changes. • We were God’s enemies, but are now His friends. • We were in a state of condemnation because of our sins, but we are now forgiven. • We were at war with God, but now have the peace that transcends all understanding (Ph.4:7). By trusting oneself to the reconciling work of Christ, people pass from God’s wrath (Jn.3:18, 36) to God’s blessing (Ac.16:30-31; Rm.8:1). Then men's sins are no longer reckoned against them. Christ has taken them on Himself (2Co.5:21; 1Pe.2:24; 3:18). We did not know we were under the wrath of God, nor that our relationship with God was strained. But while we were enemies of God, He moved to bring reconciliation to all who trusts in His Son. Rom_5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God took the initiative to save the undeserving. That would be us! No person is born a believer. We all need reconciliation, and this happen when a person is “born again” (Jn.3:3,7). When we realize just how undeserving we really are, it should motivate us to share with other undeserving, God's message of restoration. God has given to us the ministry of reconciliation. Paul did not say we have moments of reconciliation. This is our everyday service to God. This is called sharing the gospel of Christ. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

23304 E Wellesley Ave. Otis Orchards, WA 99027 Church Office: 509.926.9552 Church Cell: 509.342.9145 Pastor Cell: 509.828.8843 tomelseroad@gmail.com