2 Corinthians 4:1-6:2 further describes “the Gospel.” Gospel means “good news” and through the centuries we have developed little phrases that try to explain what we mean. In 5:18 Paul talks about Christians having “a ministry of reconciliation.” What does that mean?
We cannot see God who is spirit. We see evidence of God’s existence even as we see evidence of the wind in branches swaying. We as people are separated because of our sin. Sin spelled with a big “S” is our state of separation and sin spelled with a small “s” are the actions we do that separate us from each other, from ourselves and from God. In this journey of looking at The Essential100, we started at creation and have been tracking an epic story: the battle between an epic hero, God, and an epic villain, Satan, over the souls of people. In the cross, Jesus “paid for our sins.” Practically, for me, that means that Jesus by walking through death and by resurrecting demonstrated that God is stronger than death and wants all to be in relationship but he will not force us.
We also see in these further writing that God is building a new kingdom, we call the kingdom of heaven, to be created where people live by his guidelines and are not hurt. A ministry of reconciliation refers to those who believe, who call themselves Christian, being charged to share this news that reconciles people and God, puts us on the same team.
We are ambassadors (5:20) or representatives to others who do not understand. What came to mind was the recent news story of the ambassador of Haiti leaving the USA in protest over how the Haitian refugees were being returned to a country that was devastated and had no way to receive them. He put his life and reputation on the line for his people.
If others were to look at our lives today, what would they think we are representing? Are we indistinguishable from everyone else or are we living out a message of reconciliation? That is not just words and preaching and judging – I’m in and you need to join – which has become the stereotype or do we live like ambassadors, willing to put our life and reputation on the line for others in need? Early Christians without TV, without government protection, without even written Scripture were able to change their world. Let’s think of one thing we could do today to help another. Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 