18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
Thoughts: God has made us new creatures- with a different way of looking at others- because He has reconciled us. God brings us to Himself and then He asks us to bring others to Him too. Christ pulls us to the Father- He is the mediator uniting God and humans. Our message should be that we are called to come back to Christ. Reconciliation is a great descriptive word. We are away from God- we have wandered away. He calls us back. We have a broken relationship with Him and God Himself comes to scoop us up and bring us back.
Prayer: Lord, reconcile me to yourself and I will proclaim your message of reconciliation.
18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
Thoughts: God wants people to be reconciled to each other, and God wants us to be reconciled to Him. As I write this, Ferguson Missouri has erupted in violence in reaction to a police officer not being indicted in the death of Michael Brown. Injustice is a part of human life. If we focus on fairness and injustice, we will never have peace with each other not peace with God.
Last night, our area had a joint worship service of Thanksgiving- black and white churches. We worshiped together and ate together and friendships were established and deepened. On Thanksgiving Day about 200 volunteers from 17 churches-- both black and white, rich and poor, male and female will come together to prepare meals for 550+ people who are hungry on Thanksgiving, and deliver them. In Christ, unity and peace and justice is possible. We should not forget this, and we should work for the reconciliation of the world.
Prayer; Lord, where there is enmity, bring reconciliation and peace. We pray for Ferguson and for our community that you would bring peace.
