Reconciliation

See People As Jesus Sees People

Paul says that he no longer sees people according to the flesh. He made that mistake once before with Jesus. When he saw Jesus in the flesh, he saw him as a man that deserved to die because he opposed traditional Judaism, preached a false doctrine, and stirred up trouble. Paul opposed Jesus and his disciples and sought out to destroy them and the new church. You remember Stephen. He was a deacon in the church and Paul had him killed.

59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he [a]fell asleep.

8 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.

And on that day a great persecution [b]began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. Act 7:29-8:2

Paul did not see Jesus for who he really is. Jesus is the Son of God. When Paul finally saw Jesus for who He is , Paul began to see people in a different way. He no longer saw people as enemies but as a mission field.

Application

We must see people as Jesus sees people. WE live in a time where people that are different from us become our enemies. When a person doesn’t agree with you, do you see that person as an enemy? We live in a society that makes enemies of one another. Let me give you some examples: Democrats and Republicans are enemies of one another, Different races tend to be enemies of one another, different socio-economical classes are enemies of one another, people from different football teams are enemies, and sometimes people from different churches can be enemies of one another.

We must be a person that respects all people because they are made in the image of God. We do not heave to agree or condone what other people do, but we must see all people as a person that we can evangelize and disciple.

New Creatures In Christ

Paul says that anyone in Christ is a new creature. old things have passed away and new things have come. For Paul personally, his personhood was radically changed. He did a total 180. He went from persecuting Christians to making Christians. He went from hating Jesus to loving Jesus. He went from destroying the church to establishing the church. You can see that Paul was totally changed as a result of being in Christ.

The things Paul used to do, he did no longer. He had a new mission in life. His mission was to persuade men that Jesus is the Son of God. His mission was to establish a new church among the Gentiles. Paul had been changed by Jesus.

Application

Every believer that places their faith in Jesus Christ becomes a new creature. The old things that pass away are our sins. The things that change that are new are what we do with our lives. For example people that are living in sin, no longer live in sin, but live for righteousness.

25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil [s]an opportunity. 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with [t]one who has need. 29 Let no [u]unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification [v]according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [w]by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven [x]you. Eph. 4:25-32

1. Don’t lie but speak truth with one another

2. Don’t hold on to your anger but forgive.

3. Don’t steal from one another but give to one another

4. Don’t use your words to tear someone down but build them up.

5. Don’t hate one another but love one another.

If we can just get these right in our lives, we will be much better off.

Ministry of Reconciliation

Paul understood the magnitude of his sin and also the magnitude of the grace that Jesus showed him.

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those [l]who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King [m]eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory [n]forever and ever. Amen. 1 Tim. 1:12-17

Paul knew that he did not deserve to be a part of the mission of Christ because of his sin. However; Jesus demonstrated how his grace is more powerful than our sin. Jesus is tremendously patient towards us and is willing to forgive us of our sin.

Paul had a heart of gratitude for what Christ had done for him. He dedicated himself to serving the Lord with the rest of his life. The way he did this was by taking the good news of the gospel to all men. He wanted them to know that they could be reconciled to God!

Application

Nothing that you have ever done disqualifies you from salvation or service to our Lord. We must understand the grace of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice on Calvary is much greater than any sin you have ever commited. We must be willing to receive this forgiveness. This means that we must forgive ourselves!

This also means that we must be willing to forgive others of their sins towards us. This is why in the Lords prayer we say, “ forgive us our sins, as we forgive those that sin against us.” When we really grasp hold of everything that we have been forgiven of, it is much easier to forgive those who have sinned against us. This is because what Christ has forgiven us of will always be greater than what others have done to us.

We must also be people that preach the good news. All people can be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. We must love people enough to share this good news with everyone. This is how we become ministers of reconciliation.

Ambassadors For Christ

Paul dedicated his life to the mission of Jesus Christ. That mission was to seek and save the lost. That mission was to make disciples of Jesus Christ. That message was to share what God has done.

21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21

This must be our message to all people. One may say that this is old fashion or irrelevant today. Can I remind you that it is the most life changing message that can ever be given to someone!

So what is our mission or how can we be ambassadors for Christ?

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 [e]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [f]always, even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28: 18-20

Use your life for making disciples. It looks like this: Love God, Love People, Make Disciples!