“God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:19).

Reconciliation: (Gr.) Katallage from Katallasso: To mutually change, exchange, adjust, restore to Divine favor by atonement

How far does one have to go to restore a broken relationship of friendship, marriage, father to son, daughter to mother, priest/pastor to disciple? To mutually change, in heart, will, emotions with another? It is sometimes a tall mountain to climb, a wide divide to bridge, a rolling river to cross. Is it possible? God knows.

The Apostle wrote: “All things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:18).

Sometimes there is a need for a mediator and that Mediator between God and Man is Christ Jesus (cf. I Timothy 2:5). Christ is the great Mediator, the faithful High Priest, and we who are in Christ now find ourselves with the gift, calling and “ministry of reconciliation.” It is a burden placed upon us as intercessors to prayerfully intercede for the restoration and reconciliation of our brethren, our families, our friends and associates, our countrymen.

“Wherefore, in all things it behooved Christ to be made like unto His Brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).

What exchange, change, adjustment must happen for the reconciliation of which we speak to occur? Is it forgiveness? Sacrifice of rights? Laying down of ego? Repentance from sins? Restoration of Trust? Healing of wounded and broken hearts? What miracle of grace, what Divine influence on the heart, what faith to be birthed must spring forth for reconciliation to have a chance? The ministry of reconciliation is a work only the Holy Spirit can do as we let Him flow though us by our words, our prayers, our way of peace.

Is there a work of reconciliation needed in your life? Be of good cheer there is a way for it to happen. There is hope. It is possible. There are a few things we can learn from God and His act of “reconciling the world unto Himself.” I doubt your issue is that big. Firstly, He did not “impute trespasses against us”. Meditate on that for a while. Secondly, He had a mediator, His Son. Maybe there is someone you can call to help you get where you want to be. Thirdly, reconciliation takes two, it is a mutual commitment. It is a mutual exchange, change, adjustment and restoration. Pray for the other party to make it through to where you want them to be.

Do you need to be reconciled to God? One thing you can do right now is stop looking at your sin and fix your eyes on Jesus, your Mediator, who died for all sin, who as the Lamb of God, took away all the sin in the world (see John 1:29). Remember, reconciliation is mutual. God loves you. He offered up the life of His Son for you. Receive the free gift of forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation to Him.

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:20).

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