Repel Or Reconcile

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

For a long time I was affiliated with folks that tended to drive people away rather than attract people to Christ. It was more repel than reconcile. I have seen many people offended, pastors ousted, churches spilt and the testimony of churches not being very good in their community.

You are who you hang around and it took some time before God used opposition to break me of that mentality. Trying to be bold, we often were more rude and crude than bold. Many of us had good intentions, but we misunderstood how things worked in the Kingdom. Indeed, our harshest messages should have been pointing to us, not the unbelievers. Christ rebuked religious leaders and showed compassion to sinners.

We are called to a message of reconciliation not division or retaliation. We are to reconcile people to God because He was willing to reconcile with us when we were sinners and often very lowdown, sorry sinners. Thus we are in no position to lord it over those who are still sinners for without Christ we are nothing and can do nothing. We forgot where we came from.

Not only do we have to be a messenger of reconciliation to the World, but we need to be messengers of reconciliation to the Body. It is hard to deliver the message to others when we are not practicing it ourselves.

Yes, we are to stand for sound doctrine and against false prophets. Still, those who profess to have both sound doctrine and the the filling of the Spirit should be able to reconcile carnal differences instead of splitting churches and following vain fads.

Are we good stewards of God's gifts and resources when we start a new church every six months instead of strengthening the churches that exist? Is maintaining or barely maintaining a building for twenty or less people wise stewardship when if it were a business it would have closed years ago?

If putting anything above God is idolatry, then are we placing buildings (be they new and fancy or old and decaying), music, attire, fads and personal preferences above Jesus' call and prayer that we would be one as He and the Father are one? Are our power struggles rebellion against His power? Did God call us to rebrand and market or to allow His Spirit to empower the Word and our lives to draw people to Him?

When will we get back on mission and be in unity? Revival may start as we abandon the division and preferences putting His will as our priority not ours which is often guised in religious language and programs. We need the change as desperately as unbelievers need to see the change in us. Will you reach out to a church of like faith and seek merger? Will you be a force for change or a stumbling block that will keep people from God?

While we are reaching out, will we reach out to those who do not look like us as well? When was the last time you reached out to folks that are different? When was the last time you reached out, period? That kills many churches because they are content having enough nickels and noses rather than doing the Great Commission. Church is not meant to be just a social club.

May we see His power in His people and a harvest of souls soon! Maranatha!!!