II Corinthians 5:1-21
Reconciliation. In three verses Paul mentions “reconciliation” and derivatives from “reconcile” five times: All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (vv. 18-20) I think we all understand God reconciling us to Himself though Jesus’ death and resurrection. But I doubt that we think enough about our own ministry of reconciliation. It is a troublesome thought to me that someone I know and love on this earth could spend eternity in hell. I have one (maybe two) of my own brothers in mind as I write this; Carol and I have shared extensively with Dickie and his health is not good. But he is adamant in his refusal to acknowledge God. How will the Holy Spirit ever reach Him? Please folks, pray for those you know who need Jesus. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reach them. And when possible, be yourselves those ambassadors for reconciliation, the one and only ministry that God has entrusted to us.
See also: May 26 / II Cor. 5:1-10; May 27 / II Cor. 5:11-21