This is a word we all welcome. Most of us hate being estranged from others, whether it is family or friends. Rifts in relationships are unpleasant and upsetting but they sometimes last for years because of pride or blame. Neither party is willing to step down and initiate peace. God’s relationship with man was broken when man disobeyed God’s command but God did not wait for him to apologise. He immediately declared that He would restore it, though it was not till thousands of years later that He sent Jesus to reconcile us to Himself. The way He did it was full of love, grace and mercy: “reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them …” This means He did not even lay the blame at our feet. He did not go to any lengths to remind us of our sin but just opened His arms in love toward us. More than that, He has also given us this ministry, this ability to lead others to become reconciled to Himself. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”. (Romans 5:18-21). That’s good news!
