The Ministry of Reconciliation

Today, I want to share with you some concepts that I found in a book I was reading before bed one night. These are principles that we can apply to our own lives a ministers of a covenant of reconciliation as well.

 

Christ initiated reconciliation with mankind.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2 Cor 5:17-19 (KJV)

 

Christ humbled Himself.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Phil 2:5-8 (KJV)

 

Christ destroyed the walls of separation though His Love and Truth.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:11-14 (KJV)

 

Christ made restitution.

 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot

1 Peter 1:18-19 (KJV)

 

Christ anguished over our reconciliation.

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Luke 22:44 (KJV)

 

Christ demonstrated unconditional love and complete forgiveness over our sin.

We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 (KJV)

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Eph 4:8 (KJV)

 

Christ strengthens fellowship through the Body of Christ.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ

Eph 4:13 (KJV)

 

 

Other verses to consider

It is of the Lord'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Lam 3:22-23 (KJV)

 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

1 Tim 2:5-6 (KJV)

 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end

Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)

 

Thought 287: You've always been told.... from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 287

You’ve always been told….

  I have been told since I was very young that I am a leader. As I grew older, I heard the same type of thing. The words of those people have been a blessing to me during some discouraging times. What have you always been told? Some things that others tell us are lies and curses, while others are blessings and truth. First, ask the Holy Spirit to help you determine whether blessings of curses have been spoken over you. Remember the blessings, and forgive those who cursed you—pray that they may experience Christ’s love and forgiveness and as far much as you can, try to share Christ’s love and truth with them if you come in contact with them.

“But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister (servant).”

Matthew 20:26 and Mark 10:43 KJV parenthesis added

 That verse that tells us that whoever wants to be the greatest among men has to be a servant. Did you catch that? The “greatest leaders” in the world today often miss it.  The way to be a great leader is to throw away your own pride and embrace humility—begin to serve. True leadership is humbly following God in whatever and wherever He leads you. Even if it looks impossible and all your men, friends, family, and colleagues say that you’re crazy. Jesus’ mission seemed crazy to His own brothers (John 7)!

What God tells me to do has often made me ‘shake-in-my-boots;’ I am attacked fiercely by the Enemy. But God allows me to be tempted by the Enemy as a test. By that test God teaches me something. Unlike earthly tests, this test is all for me, not one ounce of the test is for God because He already knows all of the results, but nevertheless, He lets me go through it so that I might see sometime later what He has taught me.

What are you being called to do? Be a doctor? A scientist? Entrepreneurship? A Mother instead of just a Mom? A Father instead of just a Dad? Be what you were called to be, it may be tough, but GOD IS WITH YOU!

Thought 280: The Psalms from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 280

The Psalms

Read Psalms 42, 43, 44 & 45.

Thought 271: Falling Astray from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 271

Falling Astray

(Hebrews 4:1-13, Hebrews 5:11-14, and Hebrews 6:1-12)

        It is possible to leave the faith that one has in Jesus Christ, and many are leaving faith today. But there is hope! If you or someone you know has fallen astray, you can truly ‘renew vows’ and be welcomed back into His kingdom. The Prodigal Son is a classic example of falling away. But the Prodigal Son came back! And his father joyfully received him!

Call upon His name, and deny yourself daily,                           crucifying your flesh, to follow Jesus.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 KJV

Thought 253: Resist...and he will flee from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 253

Resist…and he will flee

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV

 

P Do you resist the devil? Or do you give in?

 

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 KJV

Daily Devotion from Ryan's devotional book series, Thoughts

Thought 162

 Remember My Dad

       This day will be a description of my Dad and what he has taught me. The focus is to realize our parent(s) strengths, and discard their weaknesses. Boys need to learn to be men and fathers are a major part of that, second only to God.

Remember

My Dad

     “Diligence…Integrity…Don’t give up, son…Stick to what you committed to first do…honor… America is blessed, don’t forget it…commitment … follow God” – these are the things that my Dad has taught me.

       I realized tonight, June 27^th, 2010, the day after my sixteenth birthday; that I only achieved my Gold Medal of Achievement (equivalent to an Eagle Scout) because of what my Heavenly Father and earthly Father have taught me. DETERMINATION, INTEGRITY, and PERSERVERANCE (even though it is a struggle many times) my father’s example taught me, prepared me, encouraged me, cheered me on, and pulled me through. My Dad supports me even when I mess up. He reflects Christ in many ways.

       Dad … I love you! I thank you for praying for my future wife with me & telling me that you are proud of me just because I am your son. Thanks for telling me that even though I have accomplished a lot in my sixteen years that you are proud of me, even if I hadn’t accomplished all those things. Dad, thanks for putting up with my youthful vigor and excitement (at times). Dad thanks for letting me learn from other men to: Mr. Wassall, Mr. Newfield, Mr. Wenneker, Mr. Schnable, Mr. Williams, Mr. Sherrill, etc… Dad, without you allowing me to grow and learn from these and still other men, in addition to what I have learned from you, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. Surely God has blessed me with a Dad like you. HE knew that you’re the Dad for me!