Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:18 (ESV)
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Reflection:
In this verse, Paul reminds us that the work of reconciliation—of bringing sinful humanity back into a right relationship with God—is entirely from God. It is God who takes the initiative. Our sin separated us from Him, but He sent Christ to bridge that chasm. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus reconciles us to the Father.

This reconciliation is not something we earn or deserve; it is a gift of grace, freely given. As Lutherans, we understand this to be at the heart of the Gospel: salvation by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

But the verse also calls us to action. Having received this reconciliation, we are entrusted with the “ministry of reconciliation.” This means we are to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing His love and forgiveness with others. We do not reconcile people to God by our power but point them to the One who has already done the work.

Prayer:
Gracious God, thank You for reconciling us to Yourself through Christ. We confess that we often take Your grace for granted and fail to share it with others. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to live as Your ambassadors, spreading the message of reconciliation in both word and deed. Let Your love flow through us to bring healing and peace to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Takeaway:
God has done the work of reconciling us to Himself through Christ. As recipients of this grace, how can we share His peace and forgiveness with those around us?