SEPTEMBER 2021
The Importance Of The Ministry Of Reconciliation
The Ministry of Reconciliation is so important to Father God that He intentionally committed it to your care and mine (2 Corinthians 5:18 – 19). I get a sense this month, that He desires that we become more intentional about this care and deepen our understanding of this ministry a bit more, so we may be more impactful.
A good place to start may be with a definition of the word "reconciliation". It is the act of causing two people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement. The Bible describes it as 'the end of estrangement', caused by original sin, between God and humanity.
With mankind having fallen into sin and temptation by satan, the effect and impact of sin and sickness separated us from our Heavenly Father. Only Father God could make a perfect redemptive plan to save us. He desired that all those He created and loved so lavishly and extravagantly, be restored and reconciled to His Heart. He therefore devised an amazing, great and expensive plan to do this. He had to ask His only Son, Jesus Christ, to come to this world, and suffer and die on our behalf, on the Cross (Isaiah 53: 3 – 5) so that if we accept Jesus's sacrifice, we would be saved.
In other words, we are reconciled back to Father God as His sons, and are co-heirs with Jesus. (John 3:16).
It was so important to Father God that we understand what Reconciliation means to Him, as well as what it cost Him, that He asked Jesus to help you and I understand it. It cost Him the life of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.
He not only wants us to be reconciled to Him, but also to one another. In this way, there would be no gentile, nor Jew, nor man, nor woman. He reconciled us in One Body, Jesus Christ. What a master plan (Galatians 3: 26 – 28). In this Reconciliation, there is love, unity, and peace, held together by the Blood of Jesus (Ephesians 2:13 – 14). This act was so important that Father God said, having modelled it for us, He was giving us the Ministry of Reconciliation so that we too play an active role in reconciling the world back to Him.
So the Great Commission serves to bring awareness that reconciles us back to Father God so we are adopted into His family and no longer live as orphans, but rather as sons and daughters.
The second opportunity within the Ministry of Reconciliation, is to yield our hearts to Father God as His children so that He heals our hearts (inner healing), and in this way, we can be reconciled to each other. You may have someone you feel you should be reconciled to and they do not want to. But because you know your Father's heart, and the ministry that has been committed to you, you seek the Lord's help in prayer for wisdom, love, forgiveness and unity. The Holy Spirit can be trusted to soften both hearts and give us the grace to be reconciled.
The Ministry of Reconciliation that was handed down to us, is so important, but not enough is said about it. Jesus said that if you are bringing your offering to the Altar and remember someone that you are angry with, go back and get reconciled with that person, before offering your gift.
Dearly Beloved, let us give priority to what is important to Father God. We can no longer put our strained relationships on the back burner. Let us pray for the grace to forgive and reconcile with each other. We have many siblings, relatives and friends that have hurt us over the years. Let us allow the Holy Spirit do a work in our hearts. Let us also, prioritise reconciling others to Father God.
God bless us all.
Dr. (Mrs.) Mina Bajomo
