Vinita Bhalla | AIM June 2004

We, who are saved, have all been given a Ministry of Reconciliation. The word reconciliation brings to mind a picture of something which is broken and pulled apart and then joined or brought together. The dictionary meaning of this word is the end of disagreement and the return to friendly relations -to re-unite.

However, there is a price to be paid before reconciliation, whether it is between man and God, between one man and another or even within the inner and outer man.

By its very definition, this word denotes disagreement before agreement, war before peace and broken relationships before reconciliation. If disagreement has to be changed into agreement one party has to submit, has to lower himself, and has to give up his position before an atmosphere of peace can prevail. This is why Jesus said 'blessed are the peacemakers and maintainers of peace for they shall be called the sons of God.

Jesus, the first born Son of God, Himself set an example of this, for He humbled Himself even to death on the cross. The Word tells us that, He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we may become the righteousness of God. This is the cost Jesus paid. He lowered Himself to the extent that even though He was one with God, He did not take this equality with God for granted but He stripped Himself of all privileges to assume the guise of a servant. He became like men and was born a human being (Phil 2:6-8) He gave up everything to reconcile us to God to re-establish the relationship which was broken by Adam.

Paul, following the example of Jesus (1 Cor.9: 19-23) lowered himself to come to the level of the person he was ministering to or was trying to reconcile to God. He says in his own words that he became all things to all men that he might by all means at all costs and in any and every way save some. He did not consider his position in Christ, as an apostle, something to boast about and exhibit but humbled and lowered himself, stooped down, so he could reconcile with God the Jews, the ones living under the Law, those living unrighteous lives, those who were weak in discernment by becoming as one of them and then in love drawing them closer to Jesus. Paul knew that mere knowledge cannot save others but love builds up and encourages one to grow (1 Cor 8:1)

II Cor. 5:18 tells us that we have been called to a Ministry of Reconciliation this ministry is not easy-there is a cost involved. The same cost which Jesus paid and Paul paid-a cost of humility-of servant hood-of sacrifice and may be even death. Are we willing to pay the price to carry out this ministry?

God has called us all to be reconcilers; it could be as a full-time or part-time minister-reconciling man to God. It could even be as an ordinary lay person who is called to reconcile man with man-be a peace maker in the world, or may-be even within oneself, reconcile our outer man with our inner man.

The cost of this is unique. To become a reconciler Humility is needed. One must be willing to rethink our perspective, to become a learner, place oneself in the shoes of others (Rom 12:3, 1Pet.5: 5)

This is what we see Paul doing when he says; he is "all things to all men". Pride is the antithesis of humility, literally meaning an arrogant assumption or a vainglorious display. Pride leads us to think that our view, our perspective, and our experience even our Christian experience-is superior to others. In order for our nation to be healed, the Church must first be healed. We need to dispense with denominational, racial and cultural pride-the kind of pride that is pride of life-that pride which separates us from one another. If Christ could leave the comfort of His own perfect Trinitarian society to walk among us, surely we can find the grace and humility now and then to leave our own little societies-our own little cultures-and walk humbly among one another.
 
The cost of Endurance: Undoing hundreds of years of racial and denominational prejudice will not happen in a week, a month or even a year. Healing of relationships may take a long time. Initial attempts may be rejected. Jesus taught us to forgive repeatedly (Mt. 18:21-22) and may we remember how long has God endured with us. Endurance is the investment that will give returns in due time.

Acceptance of persons who are different from us is a difficult price for some to pay. But does God expect any less from us. He expects us to accept even as He has accepted us (Rom. 15:7). Without acceptance it is difficult to be a reconciler.

Above all this ministry of Reconciliation calls for Love, for if we do not have love we are only like a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal (I Cor. 13:1). For knowledge puffs up but love builds up and encourages one to grow. (I Cor. 8:1). And love is the most excellent way. (I Cor. 12:30b).

Thus reconciliation means transforming conflict. But transforming conflict would entail transforming ourselves into being a reconciler and bear the cost.