The ministry of reconciliation mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:18 refers to the ministry and message of reconciliation that God has given to believers in Christ. Here is a detailed explanation of this important biblical concept:
God Has Reconciled Us Through Christ
The starting point for understanding the ministry of reconciliation is recognizing that God has already reconciled believers to Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Several key verses establish this truth:
“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10)
“In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
“And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:20)
These verses make clear that God has taken the initiative to restore broken relationships between Himself and human beings through the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross. While humans were still in rebellion against God, He sent Christ to make peace and reconciliation possible.
We Have Been Entrusted with the Ministry of Reconciliation
Because God has already done the work of reconciliation through Christ, Paul tells the Corinthian church that God “has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Ministry refers to service and ambassadorship. The special mission God has called every believer to is proclaiming the message of reconciliation and serving as Christ’s representatives to call others to be reconciled to God.
Some key responsibilities involved in this ministry according to 2 Corinthians 5:18-21:
– Pleading with others to be reconciled to God through faith in Christ. Since God has made peace possible through the cross, we appeal to others to lay down their resistance and accept God’s offer of restored relationship.
– Proclaiming that Christ’s righteousness is credited to those who believe. An important part of the gospel message is that our own righteousness is insufficient to make us right with God. But through faith in Christ, His perfect righteousness covers over our sin and makes us righteous before God.
– Calling people to embrace the “now” time of salvation. There is an urgency to calling people to be reconciled to God. The opportunity for reconciliation is now, during this current age, while Christ may still be found.
– Serving as Christ’s ambassadors of reconciliation to the world. As believers, we represent Christ and carry His message of reconciliation to others. We function as envoys of an alien kingdom under the authority of the King.
– Recognizing that Christ was made “sin” on our behalf so we might become the “righteousness of God.” Though He was sinless, Christ took on the consequence of sin (separation from the Father) so that we could permanently be brought into right relationship with God.
As those entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation, believers have the great privilege and responsibility of being used by God to carry out His mission of bringing people into right relationship with Himself.
The Scope of the Ministry of Reconciliation
An important question is: Who is the ministry of reconciliation intended for? Based on 2 Corinthians 5, the scope of this ministry includes:
– Individuals everywhere. The appeal to “be reconciled to God” is universal. People of every tribe and tongue need to hear this message. The opportunity for reconciliation through faith is for all.
– The world. In 2 Corinthians 5:19, Paul says God was in Christ reconciling “the world” to Himself. The ministry of reconciliation applies to the entire world of lost humanity. Our commission is global.
– Creation itself. The scope encompasses even “all things, whether on earth or in heaven” according to Colossians 1:20. All of creation has been impacted by the broken relationship between God and humanity. The reconciliation Christ brings has cosmic implications.
– The church. This ministry of reconciliation is entrusted to believers, the church. Not only are we reconciled to God through Christ, we are called to announce and embody this reconciliation to others. The church is an agent and reflection of God’s reconciling work.
So this is a ministry aimed at the entire breadth of God’s beloved creation. Our mission as ministers of reconciliation is to announce to the world that Christ has removed the barriers to restored relationship with God so all might be reconciled to Him.
The Means of the Ministry of Reconciliation
How exactly do believers carry out the ministry of reconciliation today? Here are some key means:
– Evangelism and calling people to faith. We plead with people to turn from their sin and receive God’s offer of reconciliation through repentance and faith in Christ. This message must be declared widely.
– Practicing peacemaking and reconciliation within the church. As the community reconciled to God, the church should model reconciliation, forgiveness, and peacemaking among its members and with others.
– Engaging in reconciliation between groups divided by prejudice and conflict. The barriers between people groups such as ethnicities and nationalities must be torn down as we live out this ministry.
– Demonstrating the love of Christ. Reconciliation cannot be merely a message we preach, it must be embodied in acts of love, care, justice, and compassion toward others, including our enemies.
– Proclaiming the biblical message of reconciliation. We must teach what Scripture says about humanity’s need for reconciliation and God’s provision in Christ. The ministry spreads as the Word is taught.
– Praying for people to be reconciled. We intercede for the salvation of lost people and ask God to use us as agents of reconciliation to draw people to Himself.
The mandate to reconcile the world to God through Christ is a comprehensive mission encompassing evangelism, peacemaking, understanding, racial reconciliation, social justice, prayer, and love for all people. Every aspect of our lives should be oriented around this overarching ministry God has called us to.
The Urgency of the Ministry of Reconciliation
There is clearly an urgency and immediacy to the ministry of reconciliation. Paul speaks of “now” being the acceptable time and “today” as the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Why this sense of urgency?
– Christ’s return is imminent. We don’t know when Christ will return. The opportunity for people to be reconciled to God could end at any time. This requires urgent action.
– People face imminent death. For those who die without Christ, the possibility of reconciliation is over. The window is now for every person we interact with.
– Conflict is ongoing. The human default of hostility and alienation from God continues. Reconciliation must be declared and displayed in the midst of brokenness.
– Satan schemes against reconciliation. Satan actively works against all reconciliation efforts through lies, divisions, bitterness, and offense. Our ministry urges action before hearts are hardened.
– Creation groans for reconciliation. All of creation longs for the day when full reconciliation and peace will come (Romans 8:22-23). We align with creation’s groaning.
– God commands immediate action. Scripture calls for repentance, faith, and reconciliation without delay. “Now is the day of salvation.” The ministry requires prompt, eager obedience.
The church cannot afford to delay, stall, or procrastinate when it comes to the ministry of reconciliation. The mission is urgent. The time is now. The need is great for a world lost and separated from God. We must actively pursue every opportunity to see lives changed by His reconciling grace.
The Power of the Ministry of Reconciliation
While the mandate of reconciliation seems daunting, believers carry out this ministry in God’s power:
– The Holy Spirit empowers the ministry. It is Christ’s Spirit active in us that makes the ministry effective. We rely fully on His power and guidance.
– God’s word ignites the ministry. The message of reconciliation centers on sharing and teaching the powerful gospel as revealed in Scripture.
– Prayer fuels the ministry. We are entirely dependent on God through prayer to use us and create open hearts. Our ministry efforts begin with prayer.
– Christ’s love compels the ministry. As His representatives embodying Christ’s loving character, our every word and deed springs from His transforming love.
– The church accelerates the ministry. The community of reconciled believers working in concert multiplies the ministry’s impact as we each play our unique role.
– Our story validates the ministry. Our personal stories of encountering God’s reconciliation create opportunities to share the ministry with others.
– Hope inspires the ministry. The certain hope that Christ is at work to redeem and reconcile all things energizes our gospel proclamation and action.
In our weakness, insufficiency and inability, the powerful message of reconciliation we carry works by grace to change lives. Our humble reliance on God’s strength allows Him to do miracles of reconciliation through willing servants.
The Fruit of the Ministry of Reconciliation
When believers faithfully carry out the ministry of reconciliation in the power of the Spirit, the fruit is tremendous:
– Lost people reconciled and restored to God. The chief fruit is souls reconciled to right relationship with their Creator.
– Church growth and revival. New converts are added and existing believers renewed as the reconciling gospel is proclaimed.
– Healing of divisions, wounds, and grievances. As human barriers come down, deep bonds form between people formerly divided.
– Social reform and justice. Reconciled people seek reconciliation and shalom in every sphere of society affected by sin.
– Abundant rejoicing. The angels rejoice over the lost coming home. The church rejoices. Believers reconcile find joy. God Himself rejoices.
– Anticipation of future glory. As reconciliation advances, it points ahead to the day creation itself will be released into the freedom of reconciliation with God.
– The wisdom of God displayed. The message of reconciliation reveals the manifold wisdom of God in bringing together disjointed aspects of reality (Eph. 3:10).
– Christ exalted and glorified. As lives change through the reconciliation message, Christ is magnified and praised. This is the ultimate fruit.
The ministry of reconciliation results in so much rich spiritual fruit as God uses believers to bring people into harmony with Him. We live to declare the message that repairs brokenness at its root through Christ.
The Hope of the Ministry of Reconciliation
The Christian hope lies in the certainty that God will perfectly accomplish the purpose of the ministry of reconciliation. What’s our basis for hope?
– Christ’s finished work. At the cross, Christ declared “It is finished!” His work fully accomplished everything needed for reconciliation. It will not fail.
– The Holy Spirit’s ongoing ministry. The Spirit actively works to apply Christ’s finished reconciliation work to hearts and draw people to embrace it.
– God’s commitment to renew all things. God’s mission to redeem and renew creation has no uncertainty. His purposes will stand.
– The power of the gospel. The message of reconciliation remains powerful to change lives and destroy evil. No darkness can overcome it.
– The promise of victory. Scripture declares the victory of God’s kingdom of light and the reign of Christ. This is the future trajectory.
– Our role as ministers. God in His wisdom has chosen to use us. Our participation helps bring about what God has planned.
– The return of Christ. At His coming, all rebellion will cease. Every knee will bow. Creation’s hope will become reality.
Though the road is long and difficult, we can walk it with heads held high, assured that the cause of reconciliation will inevitably triumph through Christ. With such a certain hope ahead, we give ourselves fully to the ministry God has called us to today. We work not in vain but in hope.
So in summary, the ministry of reconciliation referred to in 2 Corinthians 5:18 is the special calling God has entrusted to every believer. As those reconciled to God through faith in Christ, our mission is to proclaim and model this reconciliation everywhere. We do this urgently, powerfully, and with joyful hope in the ministry’s promised triumph.
