Good morning and welcome in. Today we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture from 2nd Corinthians, but before we do that, I wanted to ask you a question.
Have you ever been driving down the highway and gotten a flat tire? After pulling over on the shoulder you reached for the bumper jack in the trunk and began to slowly jack up the car to remove the blown tire. How many of you have gotten the car completely lifted off the ground only to realize that you didn’t have a lug wrench to take the nuts off the tire?
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
The job never came to fruition because one of the tools was missing. To complete the task it takes two things.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Today we are going to focus on what it means to be reconciled. The dictionary defines reconciliation as to reestablish a close relationship between people, such as in a marriage. For reconciliation to happen a few things must first take place, confession and forgiveness. They are the roots that water the seed of reconciliation. Just like a strong two-part epoxy glue, you need both parts mixed together in order for it to work. One part confession, one part forgiveness.
Of all the teachings in scripture, confession of faults is by far the very first step to be in a renewed relationship with God and with others. Confession is to humbly apologize and admit your error or fault to the person who feels that you have wronged them. In order for forgiveness to be granted to another, there must first be confession by the offender. If one doesn’t ask, how can it be given? All of us have sinned in the sight of God, but in order to find forgiveness with Him, we need to come to grips with what we truly are, sinners who need forgiveness. To obtain mercy, we need to admit the truth of our own shortcomings, confessing and admitting sins to God and each other.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession is to acknowledge sin to God and others, in order to obtain divine forgiveness. It means to admit a weakness, fault or sin.
Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
People admitted their sins to John the baptist.
Matthew 3:4-6 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
Acts 19:18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The Apostle Paul admitted publicly that he was the chief of sinners, a humble statement that pride could never make.
Psalms 51:2-3 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
So the first step towards reconciliation is to confess and apologize to others you have hurt. The incapability to reach out to the wounded party with an apology is caused by an arrogant, proud heart. It shows you really don’t care about them at all.
Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Reconciliation with a brother you have wronged is more important to God than any offering you might give. Reconciliation is required before making an attempt to support Gods Work because the work of God is reconciliation. Imagine a pastor telling the church that if a brother is upset with you, go take care of them first. Reconciliation is what Christ died for at the cross and refusal to reconcile is one of the snares of the devil. Those who profess to follow Christ and refuse the path of reconciliation are caught up in the bitter bond of iniquity. One part confession, one part forgiveness. In order to obtain forgiveness, apologies and admissions of fault need to happen first. At that point the offender must be forgiven so reconciliation can take place. Refusing to do this can result in a forfeiture of your own salvation and incur Gods wrath.
Matthew 18:32-35 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The world’s concept of forgiveness is very shallow and bitter and isn’t led from the heart. Heartfelt forgiveness shows an extreme joy, rejoicing at the thoughts of being together with the forgiven offender once again. A simple apology is a repentant admission of fault.
Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
True forgiveness is benevolent, understanding that each of us need grace at times too. Forgiveness will cease to remember the wrongs that were committed, and completely release any feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you. It’s no longer feeling resentful toward someone for an offense, flaw, or mistake. Forgiveness is never deserved, otherwise it wouldn’t be forgiveness. It cannot be earned, but must be received or granted as a GIFT. When someone apologizes and admits faults, Jesus commands that thou shalt forgive them. Reconciliation is the evidence of divine forgiveness that springs from the unseen depths of a merciful heart. Blessed are the merciful, because this is what they will obtain from God.
So are friendships rekindled? Are close relations re-established? Are you a part of Gods ministry of reconciliation? Always remember that if the prodigal son had never come home, reconciliation couldn’t happen. If the father refused to forgive, reconciliation couldn’t happen either. Reconciliation will take place if both of these criteria come to pass. Both parts are required because like a jack and a lug wrench,…..
….It Takes Two.
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️
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