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A Reason for the Hope

A Reason for the Hope

Words of Faith 10-17-17

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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2 Corinthians 5

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! [18] All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

 

       God initiated and completed the work of reconciliation. He cut the deal and paid the price. His offer of unconditional reconciliation is on the table for us to trust by faith, but that is not the end of the story. He has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

       As one of those who have trusted the reconciling work of Jesus by faith, He has put us on "staff" to represent Him in this continuing operation. God is still very much at work in our world calling the lost to Himself. He is reconciling the world to Himself in Christ having paid the price for sin. He is not counting men's sins against them. This is the wonderful new of the Gospel that we have received and benefited from. Our job is to go and represent this same offer of peace with God through Christ.

       This job requires no training. We are the perfect representatives because we are "satisfied customers". When we have received and benefited from this reconciling work of God in Christ, we are fully qualified to tell others about it. There is no requirement or class to take.

       We need not special words or knowledge to share the love of God in Jesus. Once we have been reconciled to God in Christ we are fully prepared to tell others and direct them to the Person of Jesus where they will find the same wonderful grace. Since we know the reconciling power of Christ we can testify to it and be part of the ministry of persuasion that Paul has talked about. We don't reconcile people. But we know Who can. We don't convert people but we know Who does. We are simply called to tell people this very best news and direct them to the place and person of reconciliation.

       God has committed this message of reconciliation to us. He has entrusted to us the most precious message that the world can ever hear-- That God is reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting a person's sins against them.

        For might ask ourselves-- How am I doing with that "trust"? Am I burying this great message in my yard or hiding it in my house? Can people tell that I am a New Creation? If they ask, am I ready to direct them to the source? Do I have an intention to share this news? A hope to share this news?

       We do need to keep our eyes open for the opportunity to share this Good News. Peter advised believers in the first century to always be ready to share the Good News-- "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).

 

       Father God, thank You for the Good News. Thank You for entrusting to me the best message that the world has ever heard. Help me to see those that You are saving. Help me to hear the needs of those who hunger for You. Help me to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asked me to give the reason for the hope that is in me. Help me to do that with gentleness and respect. In Jesus' Name.