Reconciled to be Reconcilers

All this has been the work of God. He has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has enlisted us in this ministry of reconciliation: God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, no longer holding people’s misdeeds against them, and has entrusted us with the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19 REB)

We live in a day in which we are beset by suspicion and conflict. On the one hand, there is, perhaps, nothing new here. On the other hand, it does seem that the messaging from leaders, pundits, and media personalities has grown increasingly harsh and condemning.  Words and actions are justified according to the rightness of a position held while objectifying those of an opposing viewpoint. With this, the value of their souls and the imprint of God’s image in which they were created is disregarded. This is a deep and dark tragedy that I fear offers nothing less than grave consequences of excessive polarization that will lead to the rejection of all suggestion and pursuit of reconciliation.

Perhaps we would do well to take pause at this point and take a good look at ourselves. I say this particularly to us who claim allegiance to Jesus Christ. We are not separated from the issues of our day, nor should we be. But when we are led to objectify those with whom we disagree and oppose, we may find ourselves facing the calamity of denying who we are and whose we are.

Paul, in what is known as his second letter to the Church at Corinth, speaks to the heart of what is the apostolic ministry and message: God’s reconciliation. Paul speaks of this as one who has been reconciled to God along with his fellow workers through Christ. He then turns his attention to how “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.” Talk about reconciliation in the big picture! However, this reconciliation of which Paul speaks is not just a message to be received, it has become Paul’s God-given purpose to share the news of what God has done in Christ for all.

So, what do we do with all of this? Well, here we are encountered with a reality of life altering consequence. God, in Christ, has acted to reconcile us to him. This is real! If we were to read further, we would hear Paul say in effect, “receive it.” But it is then in the receiving that this reconciliation is to be lived. This reconciliation became Paul’s purpose. If that is the case, it is no less so for us. And here the implications are huge! For in this we then begin to see others as those who God desires to be in relationship with. And if this reconciliation is what we are about we become nothing less than reconcilers ourselves.
How could we be otherwise? Reconciliation, God’s peace and welcome to us, through us, and from us.

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