Grace + Truth over Time = Reconciliation
Throughout God's Word we find the Reconciliation Equation lived out right before our eyes. In the relationship of the prodigal son, his older brother and their father...in the encounter of Jesus with the woman who washed his feet with her tears...in the exchange between Jesus and the woman caught in adultery...in the conversations Jesus has with his disciples as they slowly learn how to balance grace and truth themselves...again and again, we see Jesus perfectly balancing grace & truth! In reality Jesus IS Grace & Truth! John 1:14 says, "Jesus came from the Father full of grace and truth". He is the author of Truth and the source of Grace!
Ephesians 2:14-16 describes Jesus living out reconciliation as it says, "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross by which he put to death their hostility."
Throughout the Old Testament we see humanity trying to keep the Law (the Truth) of God. And when they can't keep it they sacrifice...sacrifice...sacrifice...and they keep sacrificing each time they fail to live up to the Truth of God. And just when humanity is ready to throw up their hands and say, "WE CAN'T DO IT! WE CAN'T LIVE UNDER THIS BURDEN OF TRUTH!" God senses that they are finally ready to receive His...........GRACE! And he sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to add Grace to God's Truth! And for the first time in history...reconciliation was possible! We could actually be reconciled to God...because of Jesus!
So as we try to live out reconciliation in our lives, here are some steps to help us accomplish our goal:
1. Recognize the problem: We can't reconcile what we don't see and understand.
2. Repent and live differently: This means actually changing the way we live!
3. Reach for forgiveness: Whether it's from God or from others...you've got to ask for it.
4. Receive forgiveness as a gift: This means accepting it and living like your forgiven!
5. Reflect grace & truth to others: When we've received it, we will want to share it!
6. Reveal a reconciled and redeemed life: Tell the story of reconciliation with your own life!
The Reconciliation Equation is not easy to live...but it is possible to live! In fact it's our mission...our mandate...our God-given role to play...Ambassadors of Reconciliation!
In His Grip,
Pastor John
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