This post is Day 9 in a series of studies about “Followers of Jesus”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Followers of Jesus – Day 9

It is sad there has been so much division in the body of Christ, when we should be modelling unity to the rest of the world. This last phrase seems to me to be the most important. We cannot be reconciled with others until we are reconciled to Father God.

2 Corinthians 5:19-20

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 are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

The Thought

Paul is encouraging all of us, as followers of Jesus to be messengers of reconciliation. It is very sad that there has been so much division in the body of Christ, when we should be modelling unity to the rest of the world. This last phrase seems to me to be the most important. We cannot be reconciled with others until we are reconciled to Father God; until we understand what He really thinks and expects of His church. The only way to know that is to read His Word and talk to Him regularly.

But what does being reconciled to God really mean? The next verse helps us with the answer. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

It’s all about really understanding what Jesus accomplished for you and me on the cross. A more modern version of the Bible puts it this way: God took the sinless Christ and poured into Him our sins. Then, in exchange, He poured God’s goodness into us! (2 Corinthians 5:21 The Living Bible)

God didn’t do that just for you and me, He did it for everyone in the whole world, but most people don’t know that. Who will tell them if we don’t? That’s what the first followers of Jesus did. They are our example!

Action

Praise God for all He did for you, and ask Father God today to help you understand more of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and to help you be bolder to share that with others.