In 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Paul describes the ministry of reconciliation as the central ministry encompassing all others. We could easily confuse this phrase with the ministry offered by those involved in a specific type of counseling (i.e. reconciliation), but we would be conflating two concepts with different foci. In this discussion, I will not focus on describing the variant of counseling mentioned nor will I contrast the two. Instead, I will limit the discussion to defining the phrase Paul has used and describing what this might look like in our contemporary context.
When I study the scriptures using online tools, I typically use the website www.blueletterbible.org (BLB). I have enjoyed the ability to select a verse and choose from several bible study tools. Most often, I have used the tabs: “INTERLINEAR,” “BIBLES,” and “CROSS-REFS.” Within the last year or two, I learned that BLB uses the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge (TSK) for its cross-references. I also conduct more thorough word studies by reading every verse that a word appears in, including its cognates. I have gained much by the study of words and phrases using these tools and will be making use of them for this paper.
In this section, I will define the phrase “ministry of reconciliation” using the TSK cross-referenced verses listed by the BLB (as a more thorough study of the key Greek words in this passage is beyond the scope of this paper). Second Corinthians 5:18-20 describes reconciliation as the central act within salvation. Isaiah 52:7 is an inspiring passage that visually depicts and describes the ministry of reconciliation as good news, peace, news of happiness, salvation, and announcing, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:19 details praise of lips, peace, and healing. Mark 16:15-16 speaks of preaching the gospel, believing and being baptized to be saved, and disbelieving to be condemned. Luke 10:5 records Jesus telling his disciples to proclaim peace to those who receive them. Luke 24:47 states, “that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” Acts 10:36 tells of preaching peace. Acts 13:38-39 speaks of the forgiveness of sins and freedom from [sins]. Ephesians 2:17 refers to the preaching of peace to those far and near. Colossians 1:20 indicates that reconciliation is made, “having made peace through the blood of His cross.” In my preliminary estimation, it appears that the ministry of reconciliation is synonymous with “salvation.” From these few verses, I think we can begin to draw out the central themes: peace, preaching the gospel or “good news,” healing, salvation, reconciling, repentance, and forgiveness.
With this in mind, what might a ministry of reconciliation look like in a contemporary context? Verse 20 of our primary passage gives us an idea. “Therefore,” it says, “we are ambassadors…” through whom, it seems, God makes His appeal to the world. The mechanical pieces of this process would include evangelism of the lost, preaching to the saints, cure of souls, care for others physical well-being, worship with liturgy, practicing piety, modeling study and apostolic action, in short, using the gifts God has given us to serve Him and a world in need. Recently, God has been teaching me to seek for the lost that have prepared to receive the gospel by bringing to mind the following passages. Jesus spoke to his disciples,
Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ Luke 10:5-11 (NASB)He also said, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6). “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10, cf. Matthew 18:11). “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.” (Matthew 9:12, cf. Mark 2:17 & Luke 5:31). It is too easy for me to think I am ministering in the way God wants me to, when I reach out to those around me who are comfortable, healthy, middle-class, and happy. Because they will not admit need and tend to spurn my attempts at gently helping, I am learning that approach is important as the message. But in light of the passages above, I am also learning that the “who” is just as important as the approach. If I spend all of my time trying to reach the happy and “healthy,” I am burying my talents. Instead I am seeking to employ a more effective approach: Use my strengths to minister to the greatest needs. It is incredible when we get out of God’s way, the work He will do through us. He has brought broken people to my family so that we may minister to them. Families are falling apart all of the time; we can most help those who are ready to be helped. When God brings them to us, we do not always recognize it. We sigh and think, “It’s so-and-so; they are so needy!” We are not always ready to love and guide them, especially if they resist. Having taken a counseling class in biblical counseling, I learned a little about directive and non-directive counseling. I recognize that some people will need different types of counseling at different times in their life. What I am finding out is that in my urban context, directive counseling seems to be necessary for many of the people that God is preparing to hear the good news. These are often simple people who recognize some amount of brokenness in their lives but lack the background and tools to adequately make the necessary changes to bring about reconciliation. Additionally, I suggest that three things are essential to keep us maturing in the faith: the Holy Spirit, our will guided by godly wisdom, and the community of believers (the antithesis of the flesh, the world, and the devil). So I am bringing the positive peer pressure to bear when the person in question has made a vocal decision to do the right thing, but wavers. I also pray that the Holy Spirit keeps them. So what about peace? Healing? Salvation? Reconciliation? If you cast your pearls to the swine, they will turn and rend you. It amazes me to see how scriptures tie together. Many Proverbs are devoted to the idea of keeping the peace. Many verses in the New Testament describe the Christian life as one of peace making. The ministry of reconciliation epitomizes the Gospel truth (John 14:6), a gentle approach (Col 4:5-6), and wisdom (Mat 10:16) in identifying those who have been prepared to receive. And in every case, it relies on dependence on Holy Spirit (cf. Phil 1:6).
In my mind, a description of the ministry of reconciliation in a contemporary context will not look very different from what it looked like 2000 years ago. We have not changed appreciably since the creation of the world. Reconciliation looked very different in the Old Testament, but Jesus Christ renewed our understanding. Today, especially in the Pacific Northwest, it is imperative that we rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance, take the lead by modeling discipleship, and labor to understand the people to whom we preach the gospel, serving them in humility by meeting specific needs.
I know that God is at work and it is amazing to feel like I am along for the ride! Of course, that also means an outpouring of myself into the work to which he has called me. All of the blood, sweat, tears, angst, hurt, depression, and conflict are integral to our human experience and no less in being used by God to reconcile the world to himself, through Jesus Christ. But there is also a peace beyond comprehension experienced in the salvation and sanctification of the people He has chosen to reconcile to himself. Peace and grace to you.
