The Ministry of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 says “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” The word’s “reconciling, reconciled, and reconciliation” appear in these few passages of scripture five times. The word reconcile means to compound a difference, to bring restoration, or atonement. It’s a bringing together to an AT ONE ment. “Ment” is the result of the action, AT ONE! But Paul says God has given “us” the ministry of atonement or reconciliation. We must realize what happened at the cross: the Bible says “…to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world…” Paul says that the Father was in the Son on the cross; But Jesus cried out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” It is here that we see the love of the Father to the Son is displayed. It was a bringing together of “Father and Son” on the cross! Jesus was bringing Heaven, (the Father) and Earth, (the Son), together in himself on the cross, and at the same time destroying sin (the problem that separated us from the Father) to an end in himself, so that anyone that believes on Christ, sin would also end for them in Christ. Jesus then is the fullness of the Godhead (Father, Son) bodily. But the Bible says in Ephesians 3:18-19 “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” WAIT!!! So, since Christ is the fullness of the Godhead bodily, he causes us to be filled with his fullness through the Holy Spirit so we can understand what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of Christ’s reconciliation when we operate in the ministry of reconciliation, because we are then joining heaven and earth together when we help restore a soul into sonship to the Father.

Anthony D. Booker