TO SEE AS ONE BORN AGAIN
“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 people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV
Yesterday we looked at what it meant to be born again, what has been renewed in us and how we ought to relate to God from that understanding.
Today we dive into the second portion of the same passage, where the purpose of this salvation is made clear and the blueprint of our response to life in Christ is revealed. The apostle highlights that the purpose of salvation is man’s reconciliation to God and the forgiveness of sins.
That reconciliation didn’t simply happen between men and God; He also gave us an assignment to extend the same gift to others. Our flesh’s inclination is often “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth,” yet the heart that has been drenched in grace does not count the sins of others against them.
How then does one forfeit the liberty to repay evil with evil? First, it is by being deeply aware of what Christ has done for you. You received this forgiveness and grace freely, though you yourself were undeserving.
It changes you, transforms you, and aligns your heart with His. Because you have the mind of Christ, you begin to reason as He does and look at every other person, those who wrong you and those who treat you well, as deserving of the same grace.
It is also called the ministry of reconciliation to emphasize that its a continuous process, for by design, ministry is meant for longevity.
Prayer: My Father, I thank you for this wisdom. Create in me a clean heart, and purify my sight to see as you do. I yield to your spirit to teach me how to extend grace as I have received it. I am conscious that this is a work only you can accomplish from start to finish and my call is to obey. May it be said of me that Christ was glorified in all my dealings. Amen.
CI.
RELATED RESOURCES
• Ephesians 2:13-16
• Romans 5:8-11
• Romans 12:17-18
