Reconciled
2 Corinthians 5:16-19
Memory Verse: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
The word reconcile is negative for many folks because they have such a hard time making their checkbook register agree with the bank’s register of their account. Often they will have to make adjusting entries or correct mistakes in order to complete the process we call reconciliation. The registers must be reconciled because they are out of balance. Many a young person has overspent their checking account because they did not keep an accurate register. Sometimes parents have had to come the rescue by putting money in their account in order to reconcile the differences. When the overdrafts are paid, the person who overdrew the account has a new relationship with the bank.
Our Scripture reading for today uses these financial terms to help us understand Christ’s great work for us. The Bible says those who are in Christ are new creatures because of the great reconciliation God has completed on our behalf. He paid off our debts with his own blood so that our sin register is set to zero which is the requirement for a relationship with God. It was through His work that He reconciled us to Himself. In reality, if we were to be reconciled, this was the requirement because we had nothing to deposit in our account to even the balance. Jesus did it all.
Paul doesn’t leave us with just the reconciliation we have in Christ. He makes an application of this truth. His application has to do with personal relationships and the relationship between others and Christ. He says we have a ministry of reconciliation. He is writing specifically to the Corinthians. The truth is equally applicable to us because we also owe our reconciliation to Christ and just as His action should result in the Corinthians accepting this ministry, so should we. This brings to mind a story Jesus told in Matthew 18:21-35. The heart of this parable is for the forgiven to forgive because of what has been done for them. If Jesus forgives us, we should also forgive others. Some might demand justice and others retribution. But Jesus commands us to forgive because He forgave. I might want to forgive because someone apologized but Jesus said forgive because He forgave. His forgiveness is the basis for our forgiveness of others.
Reflection
What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?
What did I say to God?
