I live in a region and neighborhood that share a tragic racial history. For instance, the daughter of one of my elderly neighbors was part of a civil suit to force area schools to obey federal law and desegregate. As I’ve spoken with my neighbors, I’ve had to grapple with the racial divide in my country, with the many ways people have yet to fulfill God’s mandate to be agents of reconciliation.
Reconciling humans to God and to each other (part of the gospel message) isn’t merely some modern social imperative that is insisted upon by enlightened people. Rather, reconciliation is a central part of God’s mission in the world. We “have been united with Christ Jesus. Once [we] were far away from God, but now [we] have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). Jesus “made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people” (Ephesians 2:15).
The Duke Center for Reconciliation has issued a fantastic document that lays out ten theses for “Recovering Reconciliation as the Mission of God.” The first thesis declares the essential foundation for a Christian vision of reconciliation: “Reconciliation is God’s gift to the world. Healing of the world’s deep brokenness does not begin with us and our action, but with God and God’s gift of new creation.”
Reconciliation isn’t something that we first do—it’s something that is done to us. Jesus brought us back to God, reconciled us—and then (and only then) called us to participate with Him in His grand vision to renew the world.
To reconcile means to bring together what has been severed, to move people from a place of enmity to a place of friendship. In Christ, God has done this for us. In Christ, God has done this for the world (Ephesians 2:18).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Psalm 145:1-21
More:
Read Galatians 3:26-29 and consider how people of all races are one in Jesus.
Next:
What does it add to your understanding of the cross to recognize that Jesus was enacting your reconciliation with God? How does it expand your vision when you understand that He was also providing for reconciliation among estranged people?
Gary Shultz on May 18, 2016 at 6:32 am
The article is very complete Winn, so I move to the next section. It will take eternity for me to understand the concepts of the cross. The act was so sweeping, so complete, that only God completely understands what He did for us; however, the full work and offer is on the table for our completeness. So, you will have to wait for a better explanation at a future date, although reconciliation is an understandable gift God enacted for us. Once again, the finger is pointing at me with the application of this concept. I had to un-live a lot of garbage I had been indoctrinated with. You are correct, estrangement among peoples is an easy thing to fall into, and we seem to be exhilarating that of late. I had to learn Christ draws no lines and to be a follower of Him means applying His attitudes. So the general wash may be going down the drain, but with Christ we can stand reconciled to Him and for Him. Thanks Winn
gagirllive on May 18, 2016 at 8:43 am
Hi, Winn. Growing up in the south, I’ve seen a lot of bad racial stuff…the most disturbing being from so-called Christians. Even today, there still seems to be a great need for a “renewing of the mind” in that area for some people. It’s not as blatant as it once was, but there are still overtones and undercurrents that exist. I remember years ago creation scientist Ken Ham came to my church and one of his topics during the conference was on race. He said that in reality we are in error in using racial labels because there is only one race of people (humans) and different “people groups”. He showed us graphics on how genetically we’re all alike—how we all came from the same parents (Adam and Eve) and that the things we get hung up on (skin color, hair, etc.) are such minute variations. His conference was very instrumental in bringing a measure of healing to our church and community. He even had a Q & A time which fostered more dialog and communication. (So important!) All that to say that because Jesus has reconciled us to the Father and given us the ministry of reconciliation (making disciples), how much more should we be demonstrators of his love toward ALL people. I know racism won’t ever go away completely, but I will always do my best to be part of the healing solution (the gospel) and not the problem (pride). Because of Christ, I belong…I’m accepted; I’m “in” with God. I want that for everyone else, too. Appreciate this good word today, Winn. Grace and peace, bro. 🙂
sdwise on May 18, 2016 at 11:15 am
I agree with you so much! From my past experiences I have witnesses some very ugly to say the least situations all because of racial prejudice and pride. And it seems as though we have come full circle back to the same sinful attitudes of pride and prejudice. The only one who can save us is Jesus, if we submit ourselves to His ways and the will of our Father by the power of the Holy Spirit. Not by electing presidents and building walls.
Titus 3:8-10 (KJV)
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
gagirllive on May 18, 2016 at 11:25 am
Amen…ha!—Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen was on to something, huh?)
sdwise on May 19, 2016 at 9:18 am
Yet Jane only scratched the surface of how many areas of our lives we encounter these two evils. Pride will often lead us down a path from which we become blind to the ways of Jesus when faced with prejudice.
gagirllive on May 19, 2016 at 10:03 am
So true!
hsnpoor on May 19, 2016 at 4:04 pm
gagirllive, that was a beautiful commentary! Ken Ham is amazingly gifted at taking very complex subject matter and putting it on the bottom shelf so that all who would, can understand. Love him! By my photo, clearly I am of the “African-American” persuasion and I hope what I’m going to say will make sense, for what it’s worth. I am so surprised that, until you said it, I’ve never thought of prejudice stemming from the root cause of pride. But now that you’ve said it, of course it does! It’s so obvious. But, I’ve always thought/felt it was a matter of insecurity and ignorance on the part of the prejudiced person. Of course, that’s true too, but the root cause for the insecurity and ignorance is, of course, pride. Pride is the seed and it bears absolutely no good fruit; nada, nothing good ever comes from the seed of pride. Can’t believe I’ve never followed that thread before. Feel like I should have had a V8 somewhere along the line….
Tom Felten on May 18, 2016 at 10:58 am
Winn, I’m drawn to your statement that “reconciliation isn’t something that we first do—it’s something that is done to us.” Praise God for His love and the reconciliation with Him that He’s made possible through Jesus. As followers of Christ, I can see that to pursue reconciliation isn’t really an option but a mandate. And it’s such a blessing to know that we don’ try to do this alone, but through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
hsnpoor on May 19, 2016 at 4:05 pm
Kind of like, I love the Lord because he FIRST loved me, yes?
godlove on May 18, 2016 at 12:59 pm
Winn, I find that the concept of us all being one in Jesus is quite key to our common journey. Galatians 3:27-28 in the More section spells it out very clearly: “All who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For [we] are all one in Christ Jesus.” We don’t have racial issues where I live but instead ethnic and (sometimes deep) tribal divisions, which are certainly no better. I always find it rather strange that people should hold others in disdain just because of ethnicity or tribe, when nobody ever chooses to be born into their tribe. It baffles me how humans create reasons to be divided from something which is not even of their making. Thank God for reconciling us to Himself through Christ Jesus and also for teaching us reconciliation with one another, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:23-24 “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”