that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV
I spent the last weekend at an Outback Retreat sponsored by J H Ranch. Throughout the weekend, hope and peace rise to the surface in parents and their child or between husband and wives. No matter the age, gender, ethnicity or material wealth, God is faithful to restore. One man said, “I’ve been a part of this for years and it always works. Every time, people are transformed. It is the most consistent fruitful activity that I know.”
Why? It is the favor of intentionally engaging in God’s master plan of reconciliation.
This may sound like an oversimplification, but all lives are broken and in need of restoration. God wants a relationship with the people He created, but our sinfulness creates a barrier. Only the payment of the sacrifice of Jesus’ death and His resurrection has the power to restore our relationship with God. Our good attempts at behaving well or trying to be just to others is not enough to compensate for our willful disobedience to follow God’s path. We are a messed up people with regard to whole and right relationships.
Jesus is the only path that God has presented to mankind to restore that broken relationship. Through our faith and belief in Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we are elevated to a status of being a “child of God.” Those who are followers of Jesus are sons and daughters of God, fully restored in our love from Him.
Paul calls this idea, the message of reconciliation. It is God’s primary agenda. While Jesus was on the earth He declared, “The Son of man has come to seek and save the lost.” Jesus’ ministry was to help people be reconciled in their relationship with God, the Father.
When we align ourselves with helping people be reconciled to God, there is a favor on that activity. We are blessed and those who are restored are blessed.
There is also a blessing when we let that restoration message influence the relationships that exist between those we love and know. Loving others means we extend grace and forgiveness to those we have hurt or who have hurt us.They, those with whom we have a broken relationship with, can’t do anything to earn our forgiveness. Our actions of forgiving and releasing the debt that we think they owe against us, starts the process of restoring that relationship.
God’s favor rests on those who are intentional in forgiving others and asking for forgiveness. The bond of love grows stronger in the atmosphere of forgiveness.
The fragrance of unity can always be found when people get their hearts right with God and with one another. Blessings await those who enter the process of reconciliation found in the activity of forgiveness.
Do you have anger or bitterness toward God? Do you have sins that you need to confess? Repent and receive the refreshing of theLord.
Are there walls and layers of separation between you and those you love or work with? Speak forgiveness and release the hurt that has weighed you down. You can and do have the capacity to forgive that hurt.
Jump into the alignment with God’s primary activity of reconciliation and observe God’s blessing in action for others and yourselves.
Blessing Love y’all