Ministers Of Reconciliation (Part 2)

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 

Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who, along with her family, helped many Jews escape the Nazis during World War II. Despite enduring imprisonment and suffering in concentration camps, Corrie's faith and commitment to forgiveness enabled her to reconcile with her former captors after the war.

The Apostle Paul noticed all of the Corinthian church's positive qualities, including its spiritual gifts, power, and anointing. However, he also noticed that the family members were not getting along. Instead of showing love and forgiveness, family members fought and took each other to court.

We are all called to be peacemakers. When someone hurts you, instead of waiting for them to apologize, you should take the first step. In these moments, you have a choice. You can either blow up the bridges of your relationships or choose to heal the broken hearts.

While hanging on the cross, Jesus offered instant forgiveness. Instead of waiting for someone to apologize, He cried, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.”

God never gives you permission just to kick people out of your life and decide that you are finished with them. He never did that to you. 1 Corinthians 13 says that before we can do wonderful things for God, we have to live a life of love. Love is a fruit of the spirit. You don’t know if a fruit is good until you take a bite out of it. When those closest to you hurt you, your fruit will be tested. 

It is never wrong to love. It is never out of order to love. It is never compromising when you love. You’re not lowering your standard. You’re not agreeing with someone’s life choices or saying what they are doing is right. John 13:35 says, “By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.”

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