Restored to God, Restoring with Others

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 

2 Corinthians 5:18 (NIV)

Reconciliation is a significant theme present throughout the Bible. The narrative fundamentally explores the restoration of a fractured relationship between humanity and God, which subsequently fosters the healing of interpersonal relationships among individuals.

God Moved First

The Bible's first lesson on reconciliation is that it begins with God. "But God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:30). We did not seek Him, but "while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son" (Romans 5:10). The evidence is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atonement for our sins (1 John 4:10). 

He is not a God who simply waits for us to sort ourselves out. He is the God who made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross: "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:22).

This means our peace with God is not fragile or conditional. It is anchored in His unchanging love and His completed work through Jesus. When we remember that, guilt and shame lose their power, and we can walk in the joy of being fully accepted.

Peace that Flows Outward

However, reconciliation extends beyond the vertical level. After God has brought us back to Himself, He invites us to embody that same spirit of reconciliation with others. According to Ephesians 2:14-16, Christ "is our peace," tearing down walls of hatred. Whether those walls are built on past wounds, cultural differences, or personal pride, Jesus demolishes them and urges us to do the same.

This is where the challenge lies: making peace with others often means forgiving them when they did not deserve it, starting conversations when we would rather not, and choosing unity over division. The verse "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" in Colossians 3:13 does not absolve us.

Living as Ambassadors

The ministry of reconciliation is intended for all believers, not just a select few. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul states that we are ambassadors of Christ. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20. Our words, attitudes, and actions reflect Him to the world.

Every connection has the potential to either build a bridge or deepen a gap.

Being a peacemaker could mean sending that text to make things right, bringing up a tough talk, or just being patient and kind when other people are expecting you to be frustrated. It signifies being a vibrant signpost guiding individuals towards the peace of God.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, thank You for reconciling me to Yourself through Christ. Help me to rest in the peace You have given me and to extend that peace to those around me. Break down every wall in my heart and make me an ambassador of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen