THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Key Verse: 2 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.”

Supporting Texts: Romans 5:10-11; Colossians 1:19-22; Ephesians 2:13-18; Romans 10:13-15; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 20:21

Description: Every believer who has been reconciled to God through Christ has been entrusted with the responsibility of helping others receive the same reconciliation.

INTRODUCTION

Sin separated humanity from God, but God did not abandon mankind in its fallen condition. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God provided the way for sinners to be restored to fellowship with Him. Reconciliation is therefore the gracious work of God by which those who were separated from Him because of sin are brought back into peace and fellowship through Christ.

According to 2 Corinthians 5:18, God has not only reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, but He has also given us the ministry of reconciliation. This means that salvation is not merely a personal experience to be enjoyed; it is also a divine responsibility to be communicated. Those who have received God's grace become messengers of that grace to others.

Paul takes this responsibility even further by describing believers as ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador represents the interests, character and message of the one who sent him. As Christians, we are Christ's representatives in a world that desperately needs to hear the good news that reconciliation with God is possible through Jesus Christ.

1. GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF RECONCILIATION

Reconciliation begins with God, not with man. Humanity was separated from God by sin, but God took the initiative to provide the way back through Jesus Christ.

a. God Took the Initiative (2 Corinthians 5:18) — God did not wait for sinful humanity to find its way back to Him; He provided reconciliation through Christ.

b. Christ Is the Means of Reconciliation (Romans 5:10) — We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.

c. Reconciliation Is an Act of Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) — Salvation and restoration to God are gifts of grace, not rewards earned through human effort.

d. God Desires Sinners to Return to Him (2 Peter 3:9) — God's heart is that people should repent rather than perish.

Biblical Example: The father welcomed the prodigal son home when he returned in repentance (Luke 15:20-24). The story reveals the heart of God towards those who turn back to Him.

2. CHRIST HAS MADE RECONCILIATION POSSIBLE

Jesus Christ is at the centre of God's reconciliation programme. His death on the cross dealt with the sin that created the separation between God and humanity.

a. Christ Died for the Ungodly (Romans 5:6) — Jesus gave Himself for people who could not save themselves.

b. Christ Bore Our Sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) — He who knew no sin was made sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

c. Christ Brought Peace with God (Romans 5:1) — Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

d. Christ Opened the Way to God (Ephesians 2:13) — Those who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Biblical Example: The thief on the cross received reconciliation with God through faith in Christ even at the final hour of his life (Luke 23:39-43).

3. EVERY BELIEVER HAS BEEN GIVEN THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION

God has entrusted this ministry to His people. We are not merely recipients of reconciliation; we are also messengers of reconciliation.

a. We Must Share What Christ Has Done (2 Corinthians 5:18) — Those who have experienced God's saving grace should make that grace known to others.

b. We Must Point People to Christ (Acts 4:12) — Salvation is found in Christ alone, so our message must lead people to Him.

c. We Must Call People Back to God (Isaiah 55:6-7) — The gospel calls sinners to forsake their ways and return to the Lord.

d. We Must Carry the Message Everywhere (Mark 16:15) — The Great Commission requires us to take the gospel beyond the walls of the church.

Biblical Example: The woman of Samaria encountered Christ and immediately went into the city to tell others about Him (John 4:28-30, 39).

4. WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

An ambassador represents his nation in another country. Likewise, believers represent Christ in this world. Our lives and words should communicate the character and message of our King.

a. We Represent Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) — Wherever we go, people should see evidence that we belong to Jesus.

b. We Must Speak His Message (2 Corinthians 5:20) — An ambassador does not create his own message; he communicates the message of the one who sent him.

c. We Must Live Worthy of Our Calling (Ephesians 4:1) — Our conduct must agree with the gospel we proclaim.

d. We Must Represent Christ Faithfully (Philippians 1:27) — Our behaviour should confirm rather than contradict our message.

Biblical Example: Paul and Silas represented Christ faithfully even while imprisoned at Philippi, and their testimony influenced the jailer and his household (Acts 16:25-34).

5. THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION IS A MESSAGE OF URGENCY

Paul says, “We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” The message is urgent because nobody should presume upon tomorrow.

a. Today Is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2) — People need to respond to God's invitation while the opportunity remains.

b. We Must Not Delay the Gospel (Acts 17:30) — God commands people everywhere to repent.

c. Eternity Is Real (Hebrews 9:27) — Every person will eventually stand before God.

d. We Must Persuade People With Love (2 Corinthians 5:11) — The fear of the Lord should motivate us to reach people with compassion and urgency.

Biblical Example: Noah preached God's warning while preparing the ark, but only those who responded entered it (Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20).

6. RECONCILIATION MUST PRODUCE RECONCILED RELATIONSHIPS

Those reconciled to God should also become agents of peace among people. The gospel changes how we relate to others.

a. We Must Forgive Others (Colossians 3:13) — Those who have received God's forgiveness should extend forgiveness to others.

b. We Must Pursue Peace (Romans 12:18) — Believers should do everything within their power to maintain peaceful relationships.

c. We Must Restore the Broken (Galatians 6:1) — Spiritual people should seek restoration rather than destruction.

d. We Must Demonstrate God's Love (John 13:34-35) — Our love for one another becomes a testimony to the world.

Biblical Example: Joseph forgave his brothers despite the evil they had done to him and chose reconciliation rather than revenge (Genesis 45:1-15; 50:15-21).

7. THE CHURCH MUST BE A VOICE OF RECONCILIATION

The Church has been entrusted with the gospel and must faithfully proclaim it. A silent Church cannot effectively fulfil the mission Christ has given her.

a. The Church Must Preach Christ (1 Corinthians 1:23) — Christ crucified must remain at the heart of our message.

b. The Church Must Reach the Lost (Luke 19:10) — Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and His Church must continue that mission.

c. The Church Must Train Witnesses (Ephesians 4:11-12) — Leaders must equip believers for the work of ministry.

d. The Church Must Shine in Darkness (Matthew 5:14-16) — Believers must allow the light of Christ to shine through their lives.

Biblical Example: The early Church preached Christ throughout Jerusalem and beyond despite opposition and persecution (Acts 8:4).

8. WE MUST FULFIL THE MINISTRY FAITHFULLY

The ministry of reconciliation is a divine trust. Every believer should ask whether his or her life is contributing to the salvation and restoration of others.

a. Be Available to God (Isaiah 6:8) — God uses willing vessels who are ready to respond to His call.

b. Be Bold in Witnessing (Acts 4:29-31) — The Holy Spirit gives believers courage to proclaim Christ.

c. Be Faithful in Season and Out of Season (2 Timothy 4:2) — Our responsibility does not depend upon convenient circumstances.

d. Finish the Assignment (Acts 20:24) — Like Paul, we should value the completion of God's assignment above personal comfort.

Biblical Example: Paul remained faithful to his calling and declared at the end of his ministry that he had finished his course and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

CONCLUSION

God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation. We are therefore not ordinary people without purpose; we are representatives of Christ carrying heaven's message to a broken and dying world. Our words, conduct, relationships and witness should all point people towards Jesus.

There are people around us who need to hear that they can be forgiven, restored and reconciled to God through Christ. Let us therefore rise to our responsibility as Christ's ambassadors. May our lives become living messages of God's grace, and may God use us to bring many people from separation into fellowship, from darkness into light, and from condemnation into salvation.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for reconciling me to Yourself through Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, give me a deeper understanding of the ministry of reconciliation, in Jesus name.

3. Father, make me a faithful ambassador for Christ wherever I go, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me boldness to preach the gospel without fear or compromise, in Jesus name.

5. Father, use my life and testimony to bring sinners back to You, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me wisdom to communicate the gospel effectively to every person I encounter, in Jesus name.

7. Father, heal every broken relationship in my life and make me an instrument of peace, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let the fire of evangelism burn continually in my heart, in Jesus name.

9. Father, empower Your Church to fulfil the ministry of reconciliation faithfully, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, use me to win many souls and establish them firmly in Christ, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall become a faithful ambassador for Christ.

2. You shall receive boldness to proclaim the gospel without fear.

3. Your life shall become a testimony that draws people to Jesus.

4. God shall use your words to bring healing, restoration and reconciliation.

5. You shall not fail in the assignment God has entrusted to you.

6. Your family shall become an instrument of God's peace and salvation.

7. You shall receive divine wisdom to reach people for Christ.

8. Through your witness, many shall come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

9. You shall finish your ministry faithfully and fulfil God's purpose for your life.

10. You shall stand before Christ with joy, knowing that you faithfully carried the message of reconciliation.