Ministers of Reconciliation
What are we called to do? We are all called to be ministers of reconciliation.
But you will be named the priests of Jehovah; it will be said of you, Ministers of our God; you will eat the riches of the nations, and you will revel in their glory.
(Isa 61:6)
If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
(2Ch 7:14)
And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
(2Co 5:18)
..that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.
(Joh 17:21)
What does it mean to be reconciled?
“reconciled,” katallasso means “to change, exchange, reestablish, restore relationships, make things right, move an enmity. Five times the word refers to God’s reconciling us to Himself through the life, death and Resurrection of His Son Jesus (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18). Whether speaking of God and man or husband and wife, katallasso describe the reestablishing of a proper loving relationship, which has been broken or disrupted.”
In examining the word reconciled, we gain a rich understanding of what real ministry is all about. In your own words, explain how the following terms relate to the quality of ministry that Jesus Christ wants us to have.
Change
Reestablish relationships
Restore relationships
Make things right
Remove enmity
Steps to being:
1. Believe the Promise of restoration—(2 Chron. 7:14 and 15)
The beginning point is to decide that the power of prayer is potentially effective to bring a saving turnaround, and that such prayer is underwritten by the Almighty Himself.
2. Love the Body (Rom. 12:3)
Mutual respect and acceptance among all God’s redeemed is essential. But this requires an end to suspicion, criticism, judgmentalism, and separatism.
3. Bless Your Enemies (Matt. 5:44)
The stance toward those opposed to our best interest as a people must be changed from one of snobbish and condescending anger to a posture of releasing, intercessory blessing.
4. Pursue Peace (Ps. 34:14; 1 Pet. 3:11)
The embracing of every ethnic group is required by the mandate of the Creator, who “has made from one blood every nation of men.” Transethnic reconciliation is God’s order.
5. Live in Purity (Phil. 2:14–15)
The Word of God, lived out by the early church, showed that the way to assert moral superiority in a corrupt culture is to shine by example, not shoot as an adversary.
6. Value Life (Prov. 31:8)
The issues of abortion and euthanasia are not political ones, but morally decisive ones. Our commitment to life is born of a respect for the Creator’s world.
7. Invade Violence (Matt. 11:12)
The living church is not an institution, but an incarnation of Jesus Christ— a seat of government in the world but not of it. The Body of Christ is called to enter Hell’s terrain, not run from its intrusions, reaching with life and love.
8. Serve the Needy (Matt. 5:16)
The ministry of the gospel involves compassion for the social need of humankind, as well as man’s spiritual need. Good works create a platform for truth to be listened to.
9. Preserve Liberty (Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Tim. 2:1–4)
Responsible exercise of our privilege as free citizens and faithful attention to our responsibilities as believing intercessors are tools to employ.
10. Demonstrate, Declare, and Dispense the Gospel of the Kingdom. (Rom. 5:20)
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