Reconciled – February 10, 2019

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:19

Reconciled

Do you ever feel like the whole world is against you? No matter where you turn, you find opposition, and where there is no active opposition, there is simply apathy and ignorance. You think you know people, and then they turn against you. Nothing goes right for very long. On most days, most things go wrong.

What is your reaction when that happens? Frustration? Anger?

You may feel like the whole world is against you some days, but God has the right to feel like that every day. No matter where he turns, he finds opposition, and where there is no active opposition, there is simply apathy and ignorance. Even when people claim to know him, they end up with mixed motives and deeds that fall short of their aspirations. Nothing goes right for very long. On most days, most things go wrong.

What is God’s reaction when that happens? It’s not frustration and anger.

Instead, God’s reaction was to send his Son, Jesus, into the world to be the Savior. Jesus is not the Savior of only a few people. He is the Savior of the world. God does not count people’s sins against them because of the perfect life and innocent suffering and death of Jesus. He does not count your sins against you.

That is the message of reconciliation from me to you. God is not your enemy, even though he could easily be disappointed by your life. He is your Savior, and he is there for you even when the whole world seems to be against you. He invites you to repent and to trust in his promises of forgiveness in Christ.

Prayer:
Lord God, when nothing goes right, remind me that, in Christ, you have reconciled me to you. Let me live in the joy of full forgiveness. Amen.