THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Romans 5:10).
The Bible says in Ephesians 4:11-12 that God “… gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Here, the Apostle Paul refers to the five-fold ministry gifts which are for the edification and perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry.
Since these five ministry gifts are for the building of the body of Christ and perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, then what exactly is this “work of the ministry”? First, it’s important to understand that there’re two kinds of ministries for the saints: primary and secondary.
The secondary ministry involves edifying one another within the Church, that is, within the Body of Christ. This is often referred to as the “body ministry” or ministry within the body. But I want to draw your attention to the first kind of ministry of the saints, which Paul referenced in 2 Corinthians 5:18—the ministry of reconciliation.
There, it says, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”
The same God who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ has given us (the reconciled ones) the ministry of reconciliation: “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 Corinthians 5:19).
It reminds us of what the Lord Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me….” In Mark 16:15 He said, “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” This is a charge to every Christian.
We’re His ministers of reconciliation. We bear witness to the truth that God was in Christ, actively reconciling the world to Himself through Christ’s redemptive work, not counting men’s sins against them. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, I testify that you were in Christ, actively reconciling the world to yourself, not counting men’s sins against them. I’m an ambassador, and a representative of the Kingdom! The Lord is building His body through me, by my vital participation in the spread of the Gospel. Praise God!
FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 2:13-16, Colossians 1:20-22, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 4:32-37; Acts 5:1-11, 2 Chronicles 20-22
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Corinthians 3:11-18, Song of Solomon 7-8
