TOPIC: TWO-EDGED RECONCILIATION.
MEMORISE:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
READ: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 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.
20 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.
MESSAGE:
Since Adam and Eve fell and decided to love what God hated, sin brought enmity between man and God (Genesis 3:6). Unfortunately, this gap has continued to widen because of the lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and pride of life that are still part of man today (l John 2:15-16).
God however, in His mercy, decided to reconcile mankind to Himself by offering His Son- Jesus, to die for the sins of the world. He wants to make children out of humans and like the father of the prodigal son, God is patiently waiting for man to come home to eternal bliss.
Matthew 5:9 says:
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Who are the peacemakers? The peacemakers are those who acknowledge their enmity with God, and so forsake their sinful lifestyle and begin to live a life pleasing to God. In 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Paul said:
"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.”
Have you been reconciled with the Lord, your Maker? Do not forget that blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9). After reconciling with God, you must also make efforts to be at peace with anyone who has offended you or whom you have offended. The kind of reconciliation that would qualify anyone for Heaven must be two-edged, as we see in the memory verse for today.
Forgiveness is also key to perfect reconciliation. We cannot be reconciled with God if He does not forgive us; but He did so graciously.
We too must forgive one another for our reconciliation to be complete.
ACTION POINT:
Reconcile with God through genuine repentance today if you are not born again. Also, reconcile with your estranged brother or sister today before it is too late.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 1-3.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 13: I'VE A MESSAGE FROM THE LORD, HALLELUYAH.
1. I’ve a message from the Lord, hallelujah!
This message unto you I’ll give,
’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
o Refrain:
“Look and live,” my brother, live,
Look to Jesus now, and live;
’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
2. I’ve a message full of love, hallelujah!
A message, O my friend, for you,
’Tis a message from above, hallelujah!
Jesus said it, and I know ’tis true.
3. Life is offered unto you, hallelujah!
Eternal life thy soul shall have,
If you’ll only look to Him, hallelujah!
Look to Jesus who alone can save.
4. I will tell you how I came, hallelujah!
To Jesus when He made me whole—
’Twas believing on His name, hallelujah!
I trusted and He saved my soul.
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