“But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 AMP

As a new creation in Christ, I am compelled to live a life worthy of the sacrifice He made for me by being an example of a reconciled life. I love this verse as it uses to word reconciled. It doesn’t say that His motivation was our judgement, or that He just did what needed to be done, His motivation was restoration! I am reminded of this verse,

“While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. 7Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to willingly give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a good man [one who is noble and selfless and worthy] someone might even dare to die. 8But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.9Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the [b]wrath of God through Him.” Romans 5:6-9 AMP

If we have experienced the restoring, forgiving love of God, how then should we live? The issue Jesus confronted the religious crowd with was that they were talking the way but not walking it! The general response to the people touched by Jesus in the Gospels immediately began telling and showing the work of Christ in their life! The Apostle Paul addressed this issue with a challenge to the believers.

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.” Romans 12:1 AMP

Again, to the church at Corinth he wrote,

“You are our letter [of recommendation], written in our hearts, recognized and read by everyone. 3You show that you are a letter from Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 AMP

Each one of us is a letter written unto this age of the grace and power of God to restore. IT is our responsibility to live our lives in such a way as to show the world Christ! Jesus told His disciples that we are the light of the world, the salt of the earth. He went on to say if the salt loses its flavor then what good is it? The Apostle James wrote,

“So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].

18But someone may say, “You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do].”” James 2:17-18 AMP

James is not saying that works will save anyone but rather that if we proclaim to be of the faith then our works should show it! God has chosen you to be the vessel of the good news that others can also be reconciled! What an awesome privilege and responsibility with which we have been entrusted. Take time today to share the story of your reconciliation with someone! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken