On Reconciliation…

On Reconciliation…

By Clayton Adams Reconcile has several meanings. Reconcile means to reestablish friendship; to settle or resolve; to make compatible; to bring oneself to accept. “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) I have been blessed to have the opportunity to do many things, travel to many places, live in different parts of our great country and to meet more people than I could possibly count. The differences between people are astounding! Customs, habits, practices, understanding, childhood upbringing, education, experiences, where one lives all of these and more are melded into a persons life and these make a person who they are. Perhaps the greatest ingredient that goes into who and what a person is are the choices an individual makes.

I have learned that it is not my experiences that make me. It is not how others treat me, it is not even education, my habits, practices or my childhood upbringing that makes me. What makes me and what makes you are the choices we make. How we react to other people is a choice. How we react to circumstances and opportunities in our lives is a choice. Loving someone is a choice. Hating someone is a choice. I often tell my students that one always has choices in life. One may not always like the choices available, but there are always choices available.

Paul the apostle, writing under the influence and direction of God's Holy Spirit wrote that “…God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…” also wrote in verse 20 that, “…we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us…).

According to Scripture, God reconciled us to Himself through His Son Jesus. God also gave us the ministry or gift of reconciliation. God made you and me ambassadors to others. God gave us the ministry or gift of reconciliation. Each one of us have all we need to be reconciled with others. Churches that split in two can be unified. Families separated by circumstances or decision can be reunited. Hatred can be overcome through love. Communities can be unified regardless of what separates.

The first step — is to be reconciled with God through His Son Jesus Christ. You can be accepted, restored, forgiven, used by God to bring grace and healing into the lives of others. Reconciliation is a gift, a grace, a ministry, an opportunity and a testimony.

Clayton Adams is pastor at Earle First Assembly of God. You can e- mail him at cpalaa@ yahoo. com, or find Earle First Assembly on Facebook.

‘AWord From the Pastor’