To Encourage You

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

One of the objections to the gospel that I’ve heard from people as I’ve shared it with them is its exclusive nature. I’ve repeatedly heard objections to the idea that there is one and only way to be reconciled to God. It’s an idea that is viewed as intolerant, close-minded, even mean-spirited. Surely there are many ways to God, some argue, for that’s what so many people believe.  However, the way we should view the gospel is that we should be overwhelmed with gratitude that there is a way! 

For people to be reconciled to the God Who created them yet from Whom their sin has alienated them, shouldn’t it be up to God to set the terms for that reconciliation? And that’s exactly what He’s done as we are told in the verses above from 2 Corinthians 5.  Here we are told that the means to reconciliation to God is something that has been provided to us by God. And how has He provided it?  Through Christ, but only through Christ.  It was the only way reconciliation was possible. God, in His wisdom and mercy, provided a perfect way for a substitute to satisfy His holy justice regarding sin.  He provided the perfect and sinless Lamb of God Who died for our sin (rather than for His own, for He had no sin) and through Him provided a means for reconciliation.  On the cross, Jesus perfectly satisfied the Holy God’s wrath against the sin of the world.  He made a way for us to be pardoned, but pardoned justly.  And so, He has committed to us His urgent message to all that there is a way for reconciliation. It’s an urgent message that Paul expressed with these words: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”  You see, if we won’t believe this and refuse to receive it, we will be faced with the responsibility of personally bearing the penalty for our own sin, and thereby missing the opportunity for all eternity of being reconciled to the God Who has right now, at this moment, made a way for us. 

So, are you reconciled to God?  Have you accepted the one and only means by which this is possible?  If not, may God open your eyes and ears to this most urgent truth – there is a way to be reconciled to God!  And if we know Him, if we have been reconciled, may we understand the incredible responsibility that God has given us as His ambassadors of the message of reconciliation. It’s the most urgent message in all the world.  May God help us who know Him to share it.