Sin in Relationships | The Ministry of Reconciliation
In the previous post in this series, we looked at the start of the course correction of our actions as we delved into the notion of Repentance. As followers of Christ, we cannot be content to continue in our sins, but we should allow God to transform us according to the love that God has first given to us. Everyone will experience times in relationships where the connection and unity become strained. Where there is forgiveness, apology, and repentance according to the love of God first given to them, then reconciliation becomes possible by the grace of God. Yet, in our reconciliation, even this is first displayed and made manifest by God’s first coming to us.Â
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (â€â€2 Corinthians‬ â€5‬:â€16‬-â€21‬ â€ESV‬‬)
In the most basic sense, reconciliation involves the two separated parties returning to one another and restoring the relationship. Fundamentally, it seeks the unity of the believers and to healing of wounds to foster growth with one another and, more importantly, growth in Christ together. Reconciliation is not a complex concept at its core. It is, however, a fairly difficult one. To reconcile puts aside personal preferences and unites with the other party despite the past circumstances. In order to reconcile, we must first understand how Christ reconciled with us first. Then, as we have received love and reconciliation, we give love and reconcile with others.
Restoring The Relationship Between God and Man
Apart from Christ, we all stand in opposition to the goodness and presence of God. Humanity rebelled against God, severing the relationship between God and man. Even though God gives humanity the conditions of a relationship, humanity has failed at every single step. Humanity could not sustain the righteous requirements of perfection according to our desire. Our sin puts us in opposition to the will and person of God. Sin strains the relationships between God and humanity, with a massive chasm between the two.
Jesus, then, bridges that gap and reconciles humanity to Himself by His mighty hand and loving arms. On the cross, Jesus fully pays our sin debt, dying in our place for the forgiveness of our sins. Yet, the works of Christ do not stop there. In Christ, we become a new creation. The rebellion of our old self is put to death on the cross, and we come alive to the person of Jesus Christ. The reconciliation costs both people something. Humanity has to let go of the desires of the flesh in order to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus willingly picked up the cross and died in our place as a substitutionary atonement for the forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation between us and Him. The love of God found in reconciliation comes first from God. To stand any chance of reconciliation between ourselves and others, we must first look to the example that Christ set that, even while being the offended party, the love of relationship drove Him to absorb the penalty on Himself so that we might be with Him.Â
Fighting With One Another, Not Against One Another
Reconciliation with one another can be a highly difficult and elusive process. Everyone seeks to hold tight to the offense and justify their actions and decisions when offended. Our relationships become strained as we argue with one another and fight against one another to come out the victor in the argument over the other. At the core, when we fight one another, we misidentify the true enemy in tension. Spiritually, the source of our problem comes from sin and rebellion against God. With one another, our enemy is the devil and the forces of evil. Our enemy is not our brother or sister in Christ. This accuser, Satan, attempts to sever our relationships in order to silence the witness of the Gospel in the midst of our relationships.
Just as we become new creations in Christ, God can make our relationships new through the power of the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. We look to restore the relationship to the manner it was intended. Again, this process is not complex but is vastly difficult. There is humility on both sides that requires two people who wrestle with sin to acknowledge their past hurts and sins, offering both forgiveness and repentance. Our reconciliation with one another builds on our view of the sovereignty of God over all creation and all relationships. We serve a big God who can restore whatever may be broken. Reconciliation may take significant time and work, but the presence of God is displayed when the relationship is restored to perfection, built on the good news of Jesus Christ.Â
The relationship between two people may never be the same, but God can heal all things. Sometimes, the relationship can only be reconciled in eternity before God’s throne. Yet, reconciliation is possible for the health of all people involved. God restores the broken and makes all things new.
About The Author
Daniel Burton is the founder of The Gospel Outpost. He is passionate about discipleship and seeing people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. To find out more about him, check out his Author Page.
