Wisdom and Reconciliation
I guess the central theme of my thoughts looking forward into 2009 have revolved around the topic of wisdom and grasping the truth that Jesus Christ is God's wisdom for us. A secondary topic that stays in my heart is the topic of reconciliation. As a nation there are so many areas in which we are broken and disconnected. Government is broken, the economy is broken, homes and families are broken. Even in our churches there is a brokeness and a profound need for reconciliation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5: 17-19 NIV
Wanted: Ministers of reconciliation. Apply within.
Every church should be running this want ad in their bulletin. Those of us who have become children of God, appreciate this wonderful reconciliation that reconnects us to God. We are not, however, according to some statistics, as excited about reconciliation with each other. According to the
Barna Group, from 1991 to 2004 there was a 92% increase in the number of
unchurched Americans. In 2006 statistics showed that 44% of
unchurched persons claim they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today. These statistics would indicate that a good number of these
unchurched people are people who have probably been in church at one time.
In Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus tells his disciples
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you. Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." NIV
God says, "If you are at odds with a brother, don't bring me anything. There is something more important to me than your gift. It is more important to me that you be reconciled with your brother."
Maybe it would be better if we would bring our tithe to the altar instead of dropping it into a plate that passes by, or like me, doing an online transfer once a month sending my tithe to the church.
At the altar a person is more apt to think about his issues. At the altar we are reminded of things that need to be attended to. Attending to
reconciliation is important to God.
In 40 plus years of churchgoing, I have often seen believers who were somehow wounded in their spirits, became disheartened with the church and either moved on to another church family or joined the ranks of the
unchurched. Sometimes calls were made, or cards were sent, but for the most part very little effort was made to keep the church family in tact. And, never have I seen a reconciliation ministry within a church whose sole purpose was to restore unity between church family members.
Scripture speaks so strongly about reconciliation. Maybe it is because the Holy Spirit requires unity to work. It is my concern that in order for this present generation to witness an awakening, we may have to get a handle on reconciliation.
The first step toward achieving regular active reconciliation in the church, (or anywhere,) is to acknowledge each person's worth, viewing each individual as God sees them. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul compares the church to a physical body, emphasizing the value of each member. Verse 18 goes even further by reminding us that, in fact God has arranged the parts in the body every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. It is probably best that we not take this lightly. If, in fact, the big church puzzle that is being put together piece by piece is by God's design, we must work hard not to disrupt it. How very important it is for us to listen well to Paul's words regarding unity found in
Ephesians 4:2-3, Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.NIV A disjointed, broken body is not able to accomplish what a body that is intact and
un-fractured can.
Each person comes into the church family with both strengths and needs. the church should be a place for both to be discovered. Each person who leaves a church family leaves with their strengths that could have been used, and their needs that could have been ministered to. This loss should be recognized as loss. The ministers of reconciliation should be all about loss prevention.
The second step is more difficult. Step two involves examining the obstacles to reconciliation, obstacles such as pride, the desire for power, fear, or apathy. The cost is so great when there is no reconciliation, and the benefit is so great when there is. The sweetness of unity and the power that is unleashed is incredible and attainable. A church can become like a powerful magnet that draws and keeps the persons that God brings its way.
The potential of a church willing to search out the strengths and needs of each person that God places in their care is limitless, and the church that is willing to fight hard to resolve any and all conflicts understanding and conveying the great value of each individual will be blessed pressed down and running over.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
