There is a stunning passage in 2 Corinthians 5. “Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God.’” [vs18-20 HCSB]
God reconciled us to Himself through the work of Christ Jesus on the cross. Now He has committed that message of reconciliation to us and we are to take it into the world.
In this world we are surrounded by unbelief, uncertainty, and mockery. A message of reconciliation offers hope and rescue, but at the same time it is also a message that exposes sin and calls people to admit their guilt. They will neither be delighted to have their sin exposed, not happy to admit their guilt. Amos 5:10 reminds that “They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks uprightly.”
Their reaction to the message, however, does not void God’s commitment of that message to us.
When a person speaks truth and lives their life according to that truth, the world (and sometimes the church) has two choices, to heed truth and repent, or to block their ears and persecute the ones speaking the truth. Their choice is their choice.
Our choice is to remain committed to speak God’s message of reconciliation and live our lives according to it. Not easy, but I would rather have God’s approval than the applause of this world.
