August 25, 2017
“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18-19 New American Standard
There is nothing about your life that surprises God. He is a covenant-keeping God pursuing a covenant-breaking people. On His side of the agreement there are only clean lines of faithfulness and truth. On our side of the agreement there are crooked lines .. broken promises .. starts and stops .. and even blaming God. He’s never worried about the miles you’ve run from Him or the miles He’s run after you. He long ago decided to reconcile you to Himself. In fact, all the stuff you’ve ever done ends up in Christ and you end up becoming His ambassador of grace and reconciliation. It really is amazing. You’re elevated into a position you never earned and assured you can never lose. And what we discover is how throughly patient God is when it comes to wiping the slate clean and giving you a fresh start. You’re His ambassador .. representing Him .. reaching out to others on His behalf .. restoring friendships .. renewing hope .. and reconnecting one distant life at a time with Jesus. It’s serious business .. a phone call .. a short note .. an unexpected interruption .. a quiet nudging of God’s Spirit directing your path to another life. It’s the same combinations that the Lord used in reaching your life. God is reconciling the world to Himself in Christ .. and you are intimately vital in His work. He’s given you a “word of reconciliation” that can reach across a broken heart with love and forgiveness. It’s not just any love and forgiveness .. it’s Christ’s love and forgiveness. And what about you? Are you going to walk away from such a gift? Christ has taken everything that could ever be counted against you. You’re free. It only takes a moment …
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:20 New American Standard
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent to Unbelievable Ambassadors of Grace scattered all over the place following Jesus (kchesterp1@gmail.com)
