…till we all come…to the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ… —Ephesians 4:13
{CHAMBERS} “Reconciliation means the restoring of the
relationship between the entire human race and God, putting it back to what God
designed it to be. This is what Jesus Christ did in redemption. The church
ceases to be spiritual when it becomes self-seeking, only interested in the
development of its own organization. The reconciliation of the human race
according to His plan means realizing Him not only in our lives individually,
but also in our lives collectively. Jesus Christ sent apostles and teachers for
this very purpose— that the corporate Person of Christ and His church, made up
of many members, might be brought into being and made known. […] We are not
here to develop a spiritual life of our own, or to enjoy a quiet spiritual
retreat. We are here to have the full realization of Jesus Christ, for the
purpose of building His body. Am I building up the body of Christ, or am I only
concerned about my own personal development? The essential thing is my personal
relationship with Jesus Christ— “…that I may know Him…” (Philippians 3:10). To
fulfill God’s perfect design for me requires my total surrender— complete
abandonment of myself to Him. Whenever I only want things for myself, the
relationship is distorted.”
{ELGIN} (2 Corinthians 5:17-20) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new
creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who
reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation: that 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.” We all have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Our faith is not just to keep us, alone, out
of hell and give us the assurance of heaven.
We are not to just hide our light under a bushel basket. Our light shine on our family, our neighbors,
our community, our country and the world.
We had a pastor in Savannah, Georgia who would say “Now, if you see the
word “therefore” you have to look to see
what it is there – for. (2 Corinthians
5:14-16) “For Christ’s love
compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all
died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for
themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on
we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ
in this way, we do so no longer.”
Having
died and being raised again, in Christ (Galatians 2:20), and not relating to people from a worldly
point of view … how is that working for you by the way … And so .. or therefore
… we are new creatures … the flesh crucified .. the Spirit reigns in our life …
and we have been given charge to share the Gospel … to encourage others to be
reconciled with God through Jesus just as we have been. Would you say that what I just described typifies
your life? Or would you say that you
spend most of your energy on self-maintenance .. trying to be more holy …
focused on yourself … managing your sin … God has purposed so much more for
you. Paul’s words are not just for the
pastors and missionaries … they are for the Church .. the body of Christ. And if you are born again, you are a member
of that Body. Therefore you need to understand
and embrace what you are here-for. And then
walk in it.
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