Uncommon Ground 5-Day Devotional by Tim Keller and John Inazu Exemplo

 The Reconciler: Trillia Newbell

Because I didn’t become a Christian until the age of twenty-two, I had a lot of time before that to fall into grievous sin. So when I finally understood the gospel, there were no sweeter words I could hear than those that told me I was a new creation. Anyone who places his or her trust and faith in the Lord is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). The old has passed away. That’s great news to a sinner like me—and that’s great news for a sinner like you. And to know that this is all from God, that he has renewed us through and by the sacrificial blood of Jesus, is truly amazing grace (v. 19).

Oh, what love is this: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (v. 21). This exchange is why we sing “amazing grace!” Grace truly is amazing! 

And so, because of our understanding of the gospel, we are controlled by the love of Christ (v. 14). The love of Christ motivates us to be ambassadors, which leads to a ministry of reconciliation (v. 18). It is the love of Christ that moves us to regard others not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (v. 16).

The implications of our faith and our role as ambassador for Christ change everything about the way we live. Or at least they should. We know that we live in a fallen world, and we know that we continue to battle with the flesh. We are tempted to shrink back in fear rather than share the gospel. We are tempted to harbor bitterness toward other Christians rather than view them as Jesus does. At times we are downright lousy ambassadors.

But thanks be to God that the ministry of reconciliation applies to us far beyond our initial conversion. We are reconciled to God, fellow heirs with Christ, and therefore we call out for mercy and help as we work for reconciliation with others in the world. We cannot and should not attempt this walk and calling in our own strength. Our boast is in Christ, who gives us the faith, grace, and strength to do what he asks of us. We are ambassadors, becoming reconcilers, motivated by love and the fear of the Lord (v. 11).

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