Dear Ambassadors of Christ,
It may be a lost art these days, but reconciling the checkbook is something I try to do regularly. “Reconciling” is a fancy word for balancing the checkbook – making sure what I’ve recorded for debts and deposits adds up to and equals what my bank says. In reconciling my account, I make sure I agree with my bank on where I stand with my finances.
Paul uses the financial term “reconcile” to describe our status with God. It’s a good analogy because God would like for us to be in agreement with Him on where we stand with Him. Unfortunately, our sins – the ways we disobey God’s law – cause us to have too many debts which we can’t possibly offset by adding anything in the way of deposits to our accounts (Romans 3:23). No amount of “good works” we do can offset our sin-filled expenses (Romans 3:20). But, as impossible as it is for us to balance our books with God, it isn’t impossible for God – the one to whom we are indebted – to reconcile them for us. Paul reminds us that God the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world in order to reconcile the world, including us, to Himself by balancing our books – offsetting our sinful expenses with His grace through His forgiveness of our sins on account of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Paul writes, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself … not counting (our) trespasses against (us)” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). For all who believe in Christ, their accounts with God are balanced enabling them to receive eternal life with Him.
God balances our accounts through His mercy. And He calls us to be His “Ministers of reconciliation” in His creation … “Ambassadors for Christ” through whom He works to bring His grace and mercy to others. He charges us, His “new creations,” to “enthusiastically share Christ’s love” with others. Let’s all make His appeal to His creation through His word that others might also be reconciled to God through us.
Your Fellow Ambassador,
Pastor Jim