“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
For some, the idea of “ministry” is something that takes place at a weekly church service, If any sort of ministry does take place outside the walls of a church building, it usually involves a spiritual leader who engages with others at a hospital, funeral service, or other such venue.
Nevertheless, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 encourages us to expand our thinking beyond the nominal use of the word “ministry.” You see, a minister is not just someone who stands behind a pulpit on Sunday morning, for every Christian serves as a minister of reconciliation.
This “ministry of reconciliation” is associated with the restoration of two parties who had previously been at odds. When it comes to the relationship between God (party number one) and humanity (party number two), the need for reconciliation extends back to the very first members of the human race.
When the first human couple made a conscious decision to disobey God, they severed the relationship they had previously enjoyed with Him. Things were no longer very good between the Creator and His creation and the effect of that decision has impacted every member of the human family since that time.
However, Jesus’ sacrificial work effectively reverses the consequences that were brought about by that act of disobedience. Paul the Apostle summarized this idea in the New Testament book of Romans when he wrote…
“…Adam’s sin brought punishment to all, but Christ’s righteousness makes men right with God, so that they can live. Adam caused many to be sinners because he disobeyed God, and Christ caused many to be made acceptable to God because he obeyed” (Romans 5:18-19 TLB).
This is the message of reconciliation that God’s people are privileged to minister to others. One commentator sums up the message behind these verses in the following manner..
“God accomplished three things: (1) he provided the means by which all people might be reconciled to himself; (2) he demonstrated his decision not to hold the sins of humanity against them; and (3) he entrusted to reconciled people the task of sharing this reconciling message. As an ambassador on behalf of Christ, Paul represents God’s interests, appealing for peace on his behalf (5:20).” (1)
(1) Lyons, George. “d. Responsibility and reconciliation (5:11-6:2)” In Asbury Bible Commentary. 1027. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1992.