Lost my temper again, or should I say as a Sunday School teacher said one day, I found my temper again. Anger is anger, and usually leads to a less than God-honoring response. I was reminded of a verse in 2 Corinthians 5:18 (KJV):
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”
It’s hard to stay angry or irritated with someone when these words are ringing in your ears. A ministry of reconciliation puts the burden to forgive and mend fences squarely on us as Believers. It’s always up to each of us to extend a hand in peace, regardless of how it is received. We must make the effort.
As I read this verse in my quiet time, I had to read the following verses too because they explain why we must reconcile. Our Lord God Jehovah always has a reason for everything. Paul explains how important it is for His children to demonstrate the love of Jesus in our relationships.
“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. 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. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:19-21
The word “imputing” means to lay the blame. Paul reminds us that Jesus reconciled the world to God, not laying the blame for the separation on us. That is huge! The Bible says that mankind is condemned by our sin, destined to an eternal separation from God. Except for Jesus and His substitution of Himself in our place, we would have no hope for an eternity with God.
Since we have been reconciled to God through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are to be the bearers of the good news. As the verse says, we are ambassadors for Christ.
Refusing to reconcile with others is a dereliction of our duty as a Believer. We are called to a ministry of reconciliation because we have been reconciled. Let us therefore be willing to reconcile, choosing to make the first move to mend a relationship.
Once I cooled down, I was ready to reconcile and mend the relationship. However, I am reminded that I should not have been so angry that I was willing to break a relationship. The argument really wasn’t worth it. A good rule to live by is found in James 1:19-20:
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Copyright © 2011 by Linda Hull of Words of Encouragement
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