The Ministry!

The Ministry!

2 Corinthians 5:18 AMP

[18] But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],

Paul speaks about both the earthly body that we have been given, and the heavenly body that we are aspiring to have. As long as we are in this earthly body, there are limitations to what we can do, and for how long we can do them. We are not able to fully take hold of eternal life with God in this earthly body, and that is why we must strive to take hold of the eternal body that is able to see God and be at home with Him. This is the message of Paul in the verses before the one above: 'ny goal in life must be to please God. This earthly body is the only preparation I have for the heavenly phase. If I get it right down here, I get to take hold of eternal life with God too. 

One of the reasons why understanding the place of the physical and spiritual bodies is because of what lies at the end of the earthly phase. A day comes when we must all stand before Christ to be judged, and to receive what we deserve for the good or evil we have done in the earthly body. It is this clarity on the present and future that guide my reaction and response. Because I understand, I must ensure that I pass on this light to others too. It is not a responsibility to be taken lightly or treated carelessly. The death of Jesus on the cross is the key to unlocking this new life and the benefits that it gives. It must be the start point for anyone seeking the new life that has been promised.

We are made ambassadors for the One that we represent. The bible says that anyone who belongs to Christ is now a new person, with the old life giving way to the new life. If I have truly given my life to Christ for safe-keeping, it means that He now controls my life, defines my pursuits and priorities, and secured my eternal reality. There is no ambassador who lives for himself; he speaks for the country he represents. We do not promote ourselves; we promote the One who secured eternal life for us. When I speak, relate or interact, I am putting out there by relationship with Christ. Do men see Him when I speak? Do men see Him in my daily activities? 

This is the ministry that I have been called to. It is not until I stand on a raised platform or a public pulpit before people know who I am. It is only those who have a personal experience of Christ that can speak of it to other people. You cannot give or pass on what you do not have. The ministry of reconciliation is for those who have themselves being reconciled to God. God has done His bit; He has paved the way for me to come back to God. He has paid the full price for redemption, and there is nothing else to pay. I cannot hide; I am not able to just glide through life; I have become a beacon that will either attract or repel men to or from Christ. Which one applies? God's time of favour is here.