Our modern world is spiraling out of control. According to George C. Kohn’s “Dictionary of Wars,” since 2925 B.C., this world has not had a day without war. In the 20th century, wars caused well over 100 million deaths. In fact, from 1910-2010, three times more people died in wars than the total number who died from 1410-1910. As the killing power of weaponry has increased, “might makes right” has become the creed of those in power, as well as those who yearn for that power.
Even without war, people have great difficulty getting along. Whether it is Muslims and Jews, Democrats and Republicans, rich and poor, black and white, labor and management, east and west or any other polarized group, people seem to have migrated far from the middle ground of co-existence. Marriages are suffering in the same capacity. In America, 50% of first marriages end in divorce, while 67% of second marriages and 74% of third marriages also end in the same manner. Even half of Christian marriages are destined for failure. Many families are destroyed by the prideful inability of husbands and wives to yield ever so slightly.
“The worst reconciliation is better than the best divorce.”—Miguel de Cervantes
Reconciliation is a perfect word to describe polar opposites coming together. When an accountant reconciles the books, he balances the assets and liabilities. That was the work that Jesus accomplished for us all. In Greek, the word katallage means both reconciliation and atonement, which is the same word for covering in Hebrew. Jesus paid the debt in full. He is the asset and we are the liabilities.
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—
Colossians 1:21-22
As that verse in Colossians explains, we who were alienated from God have been given the great gift of acceptance in Jesus Christ. Though we were enemies of Him, serving Satan, He has paid the great debt owed by each of us. New believers walk in the joy of that freedom, as they are most aware of the sin that has been removed. As we continue to walk with the Lord, sometimes we forget the joy of that freedom! Rejoice in the Lord always, and again, rejoice! If He can reconcile the incredible gap between us and God, can’t we forgive those in our lives? Even if they have wronged us greatly, it is nothing in comparison to what He forgave in each of us!
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Just as Jesus reconciled us to Himself, we are called to join in His ministry. The work of Jesus on the cross was sufficient to cover the sins of the world, though to be redeemed, we must ask Him to be the Lord of our lives. Yet in the same facet, we are called to carry on the ministry of reconciliation. Many come to the Lord with a long list of fractured relationships in their lives. By taking that first step of forgiveness, miracles are accomplished with the Lord’s hand. When faced with someone who pushes your buttons, remember the debt forgiven in your own life! But regardless of any reconciliation, we will continue to live in a broken world until Jesus rules and reigns in the Millennial Kingdom!
And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Romans 5:11
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