Tag Archives: reconciliation

May 28
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“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17, NIV)

It is worth remembering that Jesus’ primary purpose in coming into the world was to reconcile the world to God. As such, this is also our primary purpose as disciples of Jesus.

Amid all of the dysfunction and evil we see in the world, we are tempted first to pronounce judgment and then await divine retribution.  However, this is not God’s way.  He sent His only begotten Son into the world “to save the world through Him.”

Paul describes us this way: “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, NIV)

In all that we do, seek the reconciliation of others, both to oneself and to God, because that is our purpose.  – Luther

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September 20
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“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.” (Proverbs 24:17-18, NIV)

The world maintains a “dance on the ashes of your enemy” approach to human relationships because it is too short-sighted to appreciate the long-term benefit of reconciliation.

As disciples of Jesus, we are His “ambassadors”; and as His ambassadors, we represent only His interests, not our own.

His interest, according to scripture, is not the condemnation of the world, but its salvation. (John 3:17) His purpose is not the perpetuation of the world’s estrangement from God, but its reconciliation to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

In all that you do, endeavor to illuminate the path to reconciliation.  – Luther
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January 6
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“God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil — evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart.” (Genesis 6:5-6, The Message) 

God had made humans in His own image and after His likeness.  The potential for immense good was resident within every creature, and it broke God’s heart to see divine inspiration squandered, and human potential corrupted. Yet, it was this apparent disregard of goodness, justice, and mercy by the very people that God had created, that He regretted having created us.  Moreover, God was about to hit the “reset” button on the world that He had called “good” at the dawn of Creation.  

Yet, even in the midnight of divine reckoning, God does not extinguish the flickering hope of reconciliation. In the case of today’s scripture, God’s immutable righteousness required the “reset”; as His unfathomable mercy allowed a “restart” through the faithful obedience of Noah and his family members. 

God continues to seek us — even in our rebellion.  God continues to love us — even with a broken heart.  How can we resist such love?  – Luther

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