Reconciler

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Raising five sons and now romping with 13 grands there is always some reconciling to be done.  The winter warriors above are on the same teach fortunately.


But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.                                                         2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (WEB)

Isn't there an old hymn with the lyric "God will make a way when there seems to be no way"?

For our sins to be pardoned, us washed as white as snow and us welcomed into God's family reconciliation has to take place, because of the separation sin causes.

In the passage above God is offering us the greatest gift we could ever receive. A gift with eternal ramifications. A legitimate invitation into the family of God. Joint heirs with Christ!  A way making. A path of acceptance into the family of God.

A long and differentiated list appeared when I googling the definition of reconciliation.

For an excellent Biblical perspective read this excerpt from "Christianity Today"  by William Robinson

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1959/march-2/meaning-of-reconciliation.html


"In the Bible, reconciliation is a change of personal relations between human beings (1 Sam. 29:4; Matt. 5:24; 1 Cor. 7:11) or between God and man (Rom. 5:1–11; 2 Cor. 5:18 f.; Col. 1:20; Eph. 2:16). By this change a state of enmity and estrangement is replaced by one of peace and fellowship.

The change between man and man is a twofold or mutual matter. When David is spoken of as reconciling himself with Saul, what is primarily meant is the change in Saul’s attitude and relation to David. Again, when separation between a man and his wife occurs, a change in both parties to the marriage relationship is envisioned.

In making peace between God and man, it is not a case of equal adversaries reconciling one another. Rather in the whole work of restoring the ruptured relationship between himself and rebellious man, “all things are of God” (2 Cor. 5:18, cf. Eph. 2:4; John 3:16). And while God’s wrath is called forth by man’s sin, his reconciling grace wells up spontaneously from his own great heart of love. In the miracle of grace, his everlasting love reaches out even for his enemies. Men do not reconcile God, but he so changes the situation between himself and man that he reconciles the world unto himself."


God has given us this great pardon and calls us to be part of this same ministry of reconciliation. We have invitations to offer!  We can make things new just has Christ has done.


Look at some of the other definitions of reconciliation.


"The restoration of fractured relationships by overcoming grief, pain, and anger."


"The process of repairing and rebuilding a relationship that has experienced conflict, hurt, or a breakdown in trust. It involves addressing the issues that caused the rift, fostering open communication, and working towards restoring mutual understanding, respect, and harmony."


"The act of coming to an understanding and putting an end to hostility."


If we quiet our minds and ask God to point us to the relationships needing reconciliation he will answer.


The Song


"Rejoice" by Jordan St Cyr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7nqPuiVZhE



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