“And he [God] is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.- Acts 17:25.
He created us in Christ Jesus to do good works which God had prepared for us to do in advance Ephesians 2:10
but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners [at enmity with God], Christ died for us.…For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life.–Romans 5:8, 10.
Grace Kissed Mercy at The Cross
The creator of the universe, who calls us sons and daughters,
Gave us life in paradise protected by our Father.
But in our human thanklessness, we betrayed the one request
That regardless of our Father’s love would bring us certain death.
Still, He made the only sacrifice that could save us from that cost;
He gave His son to save the world and grace kissed mercy at the cross.
His sacrifice changed the world for it washed us clean of sin.
He made us new creations, changed us from within.
He vowed He’d not forsake us, nor would He let us be alone.
He sent the Holy Ghost to live in us, to be our cornerstone.
He made a whole new covenant to Indemnify sin’s cost.
When He gave His son to save the world and grace kissed mercy at the cross.
He longs to be part of our daily lives to be our kind and loving father.
Asking only that we give to Him, in prayer, our gratitude, and honor.
He’s gone to unexpected lengths to protect us, His beloved family.
He’s been patient with us for centuries, allowing for our vanity.
To protect us from the enemy, who causes darkness pain and chaos,
He gave His son to save the world and grace kissed mercy at the cross.
How much longer will we disregard His glory, grace, and power?
What will it take for us to see the devil’s ambition to devour?
We live in very dangerous times, with the enemy always stalking.
Yet we just assume God will keep us safe; our disrespect is truly shocking!
We’ve shown Him not a bit of gratitude for all He sacrificed and lost
When He gave His Son to save the world and grace kissed mercy at the cross.
We know the end is coming, the world cannot sustain this sin.
There must be a confrontation. It’s already determined who will win.
But God will not save everyone, we can’t rely on grace this time.
His plan is clearly written for those who are not blind.
He offered salvation for the last time, even to those who will be lost.
When he sent His son to save the world and grace kissed Mercy at the cross.
©Linda Troxell 09/21/2017
God has been offering man a beautiful life in paradise since He created us as recorded in Genesis. And man has managed, at every turn, to sabotage that offer. One of the questions for the ages is why did God create man. It surely isn’t because He needed us; we have nothing that God needs and He has everything we need. “And he [God] is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.- Acts 17:25. No, God created us out of His love and creativity so that we could enjoy Him and all that He is. He created us to glorify Him. He created us to Love Him with all of our heart, soul and strength, Deuteronomy 6:5, to Love our neighbor as our self, Matthew 22:39 and, He created us in Christ Jesus to do good works which God had prepared for us to do in advance Ephesians 2:10. All of this is a part of God’s eternal plan. He created us to have a part in His plans for the world including His plan to defeat Satan.
You might be wondering how we, lowly humans without any superpowers, can be expected to help win a war with Satan who is the ruler of this earthly world. Well, the short answer is that we help to defeat Satan simply by putting on the full armor of God as we put our full faith in God. The Ultimate answer, however, is that we help to win the war against Satan by participating in the ministry of reconciliation; pointing others to eternal life with God through His son Jesus Christ. This is our main mission on earth and our most important role in God’s eternal plans.
When God created man He longed for unity. He made us so that he could have a relationship with us; so we could be unified with HIm. As, His creations, we too long for unity because He created us with that need. However, God, who is holy and righteous, cannot have a relationship with sin. When our first parents became sinful their relationship with God was broken. With the damage to the relationship between God and Adam and Eve, conflict entered the world. That conflict was then handed down to their offspring, Cain, and Able. And it spread generationally down the millennia to become the conflict that we, as humans, still struggle with today.
But God so longed for unity with us that He brought Jesus into the world to die for our sins which then allowed our unity with God to be restored. The word Paul used to describe this in 2 Corinthians was to reconcile, which literally means to restore to a former state of harmony. It was the death and resurrection of Jesus that made our reconciliation with God possible, …but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners [at enmity with God], Christ died for us…For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life.–Romans 5:8, 10.
I’d bet many Christians have never even heard the term ministry of reconciliation even though, in the end, it is at the core of everything we are called by God to do in the New Testament. It is the message we are appointed to bring to the lost; that they can be reconciled to God. And so we are exhorted by God to carry out the ministry of reconciliation. More Christians might recognize this call better as a Gospel ministry or evangelism, but I don’t think many know how central it is to our Christian walk. Although God’s requirements for reconciliation are satisfied by Jesus’ death and resurrection, each of us must receive the terms of that reconciliation in order to be saved; “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”-Romans 10:9. Once our own relationship with God has been reconciled, God calls us into service. “God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.…We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us”-2 Corinthians 5:18, 20. There doesn’t seem to be much wiggle room there, we are commissioned to bring the good news of the peace and love of the Gospel to the unbelievers.
Many, many Christians shy away from sharing the Gospel feeling it is obnoxious to push their religion onto others. And while this is an understandable feeling, one, unfortunately, I share, it is not one that God condones. I won’t go any farther in explaining the ministry of reconciliation. If this overview is not enough to convince you that this is something God requires of us, then you can research it yourself and find out what more you need to know. But for those of you who, like me, know this is something we, as Christians, are called to do but who, also like me, cringe at the thought of having to become one of those “Bible Thumpers”, outspoken Christians everyone seems to make fun of or scorn, I want to share with you some less direct ways in which you can participate in spreading the good news of the love of Jesus Christ while you grow in your comfort with being more direct. I found these on a blog while I was researching this post and I want to be sure to give proper credit. So here is the address in case you want to check it out.
https://unlockingthebible.org/2017/04/eight-ways-pursue-reconciliation
Here, then, are 8 simple suggestions for ways in which we can slowly begin to participate in the ministry of reconciliation and at the same time become comfortable sharing our faith with others, something God requires of us all.
- Evangelism
When God provides an opportunity, share the message of reconciliation clearly with your words to lost or estranged people who desperately need peace with him through Jesus Christ.
- Online
Refuse to engage in divisive discussions on social media or to share divisive posts and tweets. Choose instead to post comments about God’s goodness and faithfulness. Share the blessings you and your loved one’s experience, and give God the glory.
- Generosity
Give a generous tip to a harried restaurant server and explain that it’s a privilege to share God’s resources with others.
- Listening
Seek to understand opposing viewpoints when people speak against the values you hold dear. Choose to listen rather than argue and then thank them for sharing with you. Do not, unless asked, share your views. (I added the italicized part as my own added suggestion to this one.)
- Thanksgiving
Send a handwritten note of thanks to people who impact your life—a mail carrier, doctor, or neighbor. Tell them why you consider them one of God’s blessings in your life.
- Hospitality
Invite a neighbor or coworker to share a meal with you. If you’re not a cook, meet at a restaurant or pick up food and bring it home. Express your appreciation and give God the glory for bringing that person into your life. Share experiences that point to your relationship with God.
- Boasting in Christ
If someone compliments you on the way you handle a situation, glorify God by explaining that you sought his guidance in the matter. As we point to God’s work in our lives, the evidence of his grace, forgiveness, faithfulness, and attentiveness to us can create a hunger in other people’s hearts for such a relationship.
- Scripture
You may also find it helpful to list the fruit of self (Galatians 5:19-21) and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) on a 3×5 card or on your smartphone. Each day read the two lists and ask the Spirit to help you produce fruit compatible with your role as a minister of reconciliation. As conflicts, problems, and frustrations rise, look at the lists and pray for guidance.
9. Expanding on Generosity
I want to add a suggestion that elaborates on number 3, Generosity. This is something I have been doing for several years. Give your change to a homeless person and refrain from judging them or being concerned with what they will do with the money. Remember, you are offering them God’s love and once you give it to them He will use it to bring about His will.
For me, numbers 2 and 4 will be particularly challenging so I’ve decided to make them my biggest priority. Not that I won’t try the others, but I know I will struggle with those two so, I am going to try to create opportunities to work on them. I hope this has been helpful for those of you who struggle with this particular part of heeding this particular call from God. Or for those of you who may not have ever been taught about this in your church. If it is your first time hearing about this or if you are still not sure it is a requirement from God, I would suggest that you look into it for yourself asking God to lead you. This is only my understanding of the matter after researching it and asking God for clarity. You very well may see it differently or God may lead you differently in your pursuit. The important thing is for all of us to do what we can to spread the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Points for Prayer and Pondering
Have you been taught about the Ministry of Reconciliation in your church? If not have you ever heard of it?
Is it difficult for you to spread the good news of the Gospel as God exhorts us to? What is the biggest obstacle for you?
Do you think the eight suggestions I found on the blog will be a helpful way to share your faith with others? Why? Why not?
If you are not already sharing the good news with unbelievers, can you think of a way that you could comfortably share?
Humbly Seeking the Lord 