Bringing the Ministry of Reconciliation into Everyday Situations - The Crosswalk Devotional - August 23

Bringing the Ministry of Reconciliation into Everyday Situations
By Lynette Kittle

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” - 2Corinthians 5:18

How are you at bringing people together? When conflicts arise, are you one to step in and help bring the peace of God into a situation? Or do you find yourself adding to the heated issue and escalating the rift between people? If so, as a Christian, you might want to examine your heart to see if you might want to reconsider how you’re dealing with these types of situations. Although most believers know Jesus’ death on the cross brings reconciliation between us and God, many don’t understand that with this gift also comes a ministry of reconciliation into our lives, where we help lead others to reconcile with God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 explains,

“We are, therefore, Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf. Be reconciled to God.”

Reconciliation Brings Peace
But it doesn’t have to stop there. Even though our most important ministry of reconciliation is to help individuals have a relationship with God, we can also move within it to influence others toward reconciliation in various areas of their daily lives. A ministry of reconciliation can be at work in our daily lives dealing with family members, co-workers, neighbors, and sometimes even total strangers. Recently while waiting to board a flight in an airport, a young woman witnessed an older man berating a younger man over seating.

Drawing attention to his loud, degrading comments, she prayed and asked God if there was anything she could do to help in the situation. In doing so, she felt compelled to stand up and quietly offer her seat to the upset gentleman. Her willingness to reach out helped to reconcile the situation and bring peace, helping to diffuse it from potentially escalating into something destructive.

Bringing Christ’s Ministry of Reconciliation to Everyday Life
As a hospice chaplain, my husband often walks into family situations where reconciliation within the family is seriously needed, especially before a loved one passes away. In stepping in, he doesn’t just bring his pastoral and counseling experience, but he, most importantly, brings the ministry of reconciliation through believing in Jesus Christ. Even if the family doesn’t believe in Jesus, the ministry that he brings in belonging to Christ comes with him and makes a difference in the situation. 2 Corinthians 5:19 describes,

“That God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”

Reconciliation Restores Hope
Reconciliation restores hopefulness and is needed in today's world, where situations often feel hopeless. There seems to be no way to resolve ongoing differences, offenses, and more through human efforts. Before Christ’s work on the cross, the world seemed hopeless, with men and women separated from God forever by a sin debt that humankind couldn’t repay through their own efforts. But then the hope of John 3:16, reconciliation between God and men, appeared.

”For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Intersecting Faith and Life: Are there situations and relationships in your life, with family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers, where there seems no way to bring reconciliation between everyone involved? If so, ask God to lead you in the ministry of reconciliation through Christ to help bring peace, hope, and restoration where needed.

Further Reading:
8 Ways to Pursue the Ministry of Reconciliation

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.