Devotional: Forgive and Be Reconciled: 2 Corinthians 5:14-19

Hostilities between different people groups are a part of the everyday life in America. Each group seems to be demanding that they receive their just recognition of their contribution to the development and growth of our country. Everyone wants to be heard. It seems to me that while everyone is demanding justice, it is not about justice but about revenge. Everyone is demanding their own rights, but at the same time very few are offering much of anything to bring about reconciliation among the various groups. Each group insists that their desires are the things that make America great.

The church is the body of Christ. Christ was about bringing reconciliation between God and humanity. Jesus did not come seeking revenge. He demanded nothing from a lost humanity. Instead, Jesus came to die a vicarious death on a cross so that our sins might be forgiven. His sacrifice was borne out of the Father’s love for His children that were separated from Him because of their sins.

Jesus did not show partiality in His death. He died not for the sake of the interest and demands of any particular people group. Their agendas sought o bring advantage to themselves, but self interest cannot bring about reconciliation because we have all sinned and come short of the mark of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). Jesus died so that those who believe in Him might be forgiven of their sins and be reconciled to God. Forgiveness of sin is necessary in order to be reconciled to God because sin is the reason that we are separated from God. God is holy and God is immutable. God is different from us and we must be made like Him. God does not change. It is us that must be changed.

The church is the people of God because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. He came to reconcile us to the Father. He has given the church the ministry of reconciliation to God. Those that are forgiven and reconciled to God are reconciled to each other. It is through Christ alone that we are forgiven and reconciled.

Prayer: Father we thank you for Jesus who died for our forgiveness and reconciliation. Amen.