Reconciled To God

GOD HAS RESTORED OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM THROUGH CHRIST, AND HAS GIVEN US THIS MINISTRY OF RESTORING RELATIONSHIPS. 2 Corinthians 5.18.

I know of a woman who said about her sister-in-law, “She never wanted her brothers and sisters and family members to live in harmony! For herself, if she was friendly with some, she was against the others!” It is sad when people and families do not want to live in peace and harmony, loving and helping one another.

This chequered relationship with one another began with our broken relationship with God. It all started at the very beginning of man’s history. Adam and Eve had a wonderful relationship with God. But when they disobeyed God and sinned against Him, that relationship was broken. But God has restored your relationship with him through Christ.

Cain offered a sacrifice which pleased him – the best of his crops, instead of offering a sacrifice from the flock, as God had shown him. “On Cain and his offering God did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? (Gen 4.5-6).

Friends, sin breaks your relationship with God. You suffer the consequences of your sin. It doesn’t end there. You become angry with your brothers and neighbours. That is what happened to Cain. He got angry with his brother Abel. Abel didn’t do any wrong to Cain. Yet out of jealousy, Cain picked a quarrel with him. It led to the murder of Abel.

By dying on the cross, Jesus Christ has reconciled us to God. The apostle Paul says, “God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation”. Now, you are to do your utmost to live in harmony with your brothers and neighbours. You are to be reconciled with everyone. You also have the ministry of reconciliation to help others to mend their broken relationships. You are to make every endeavour to bring reconciliation between people, in families, the neighbourhood, society, nation and the world. The Word exhorts us, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men” (Heb 12.14). The Lord Jesus Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Mt 5.9).

Dear believer, you need to live in a vital relationship with your God. In today's ultra-busy life, you must make every effort to read God's Word daily and keep in touch with Him in continuous prayer. If you do not read regularly and know God's Word you will not know how to live a righteous life. You will disobey God and live in a broken relationship with Him. It will lead to wrong dealings and relationships with others.

True relationship with God can grow and mature only by keeping in continuous contact with God through His Word and prayer. Then, you will be a peacemaker in your family, neighbourhood and church, and not a 'peacebreaker'.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, keep reminding me that You have reconciled me to God by dying for me on the cross! I am given the ministry to reconcile others to God and one another and not to quarrel or create strife. Amen.