The Ministry of
Reconciliation
Here’s a truth. While
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5:8. If the church is going to
have an effective ministry of reconciliation, it must begin to see that
ministry from God’s viewpoint. That view is that He loved the world while it
was an enemy vs.10. Who is the world? It
is everybody! You see God didn’t begin
loving us after the blood of Christ was shed; He loved us before the blood was
shed. It was shed for us while we were in the condition of enemies, vs.10. This
is a blood that “speaks of better things” Heb.
There is another blood
that is mentioned that also speaks; that is the blood of Abel. The contrast in
the message that these two types of blood speak about is startling. One belongs
to the old Adamic nature, the other to Jesus. When Cain slew Abel, the blood of Abel cried
for vengeance, Gen.4: 9-14. Cain fled for fear that his own life would be
taken. It was an eye for an eye blood. The blood of Christ has another message.
It speaks a better message of love. We should speak our message to the
world based on the blood of Christ and not the blood of Abel.
This message begins
with understanding the word reconciliation. To understand this word is
to know God’s heart and our ministry. To misunderstand it could cause us to speak
another message that causes flight. Let me give an example of what I
mean.
Whenever we tell a
sinner he or she is a sinner and flash their sin before them, the Adamic nature is triggered in them and they think flight
and covering up, just as Adam did. If we parade the world’s sin before their
eyes they often are more condemned than drawn to the Lord. Think for a moment,
the strength of sin is the law, 1Cor
The sinner is
reconciled but not yet justified or saved. This reconciling is through the
death and shed blood that now favorably disposes God towards the whole world.
The blood has satisfied or appeased God. The sinner isn’t yet made righteous
because he hasn’t put his faith in this atoning work. But it is available to
him. This word for reconciled is katallasso and means to be brought into
favor, Romans 5:10. But it is not the same as justified, dikaioo
which means righteous, Romans 5:9. One must believe unto righteousness, that is
having faith in the blood of Christ. Therefore,
one must precede the other. Sinners are still in the “favorably disposed state”.
You may not like to hear that if you still hear the blood of Abel speaking. But
if you hear the blood of Christ, you become a minister of reconciliation and
you too “speak of better things”.
It is as if people
think differently depending on which side of the cross they are on. God sees
all through the cross with potential for salvation. Sinners look at the cross
and with out the word spoken to them that they are not as far away as they
think, see themselves caught in the grip of endless sin and with no way to “satisfy”
God. Thus, they either run or cover-up, i.e. get defensive. Our job is to get
them covered in the blood through our ministry of revealing that they have been
reconciled already.
Next is salvation.
First the death and blood of Christ reconciles us, then the life of
Christ saves us This saving or sozo
is a complete deliverance and healing, restoring and renewing that comes
with all the benefits of covenant with God. In order for one to enjoy this
salvation we look to the life of Christ for its transforming power, Romans
5:9-10. This life of Christ is now
available and is produced by the Holy Spirit, John 16:5. The Holy Spirit “takes
of Jesus and reveals it in us” my paraphrase. It is a process. Salvation is
ongoing.
The word for life here in Romans
Zoe
life on the other hand is essential life force, the
element or principle of life in the spirit. This life force animates living
beings. Since it is the life force of Jesus ministered by the Holy Spirit, it
has inherent power to manifest Christ’s life in us, thus producing ongoing
salvation. This of course is according to our willingness, desire and yieldedness. As
such, it is different with each person. It can be said finally that zoe life will produce
bios life. We have the awesome opportunity to live a changed and glorious
life patterned after the author and finisher of our faith, Heb 12:2.
The sinner is actually
in a better place then he or she knows because of the blood and it’s propitiating power. A new zoe awaits them. But they must still come to
Christ in faith in order to have salvation. They are a hair- breadth away. Our
job is to close the gap, 2 Cor. 5:18-21. How? By speaking the blood
of Christ. It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance, Romans
2:4. Accusations and condemnation and words of fear or dread do little to
enhance the understanding of God’s love for the sinner. He or she must know
what David did, that the sum of God’s thoughts towards us is beyond counting
and they are altogether precious, Psa. 139:17-18.
Why not begin telling
those around you who do not yet know this love of God, how wonderful they are
to Him and how much He loves them. You will be amazed at the prophetic flow
that will come to you as you begin to hear the precious thoughts of God towards
those whom He wants to reveal himself. You will have instant ministry of
reconciliation.
Blessings In Christ,
This Ephesians Ministries International®
article is a publication of Ephesians Ministries International®.
Ephesians
Ministries International,
Http://ephesiansministries.org