Our New Calling

Now that we’ve been adopted into God’s family, we get to join Him as He lovingly draws other people to Himself. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians makes it clear that Jesus died for all; therefore, we can be confident that God’s desire for all humankind is to give them the same inheritance He gave us. Because in Christ “God was reconciling the world to Himself,” we too have been given “the ministry of reconciliation.”

Unfortunately, it’s easy to forget where we came from and grow complacent in our new home. We forget how many orphans are still longing for adoption. Even though the Father has ample room to bring more children into his family, we are tempted to close ourselves off to the world, neglecting the cries of those who are still outside.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul reminds us that we used to be separated from God, just as the rest of the world is. Lest we get too proud of our beautiful inheritance, he brings us back to our roots. We were enemies of God, detached from the salvation history He was working through the people of Israel. We didn’t have any hope.

So when we look around and see people who are wandering around like we were, strangers to God’s love, we ought to be moved with compassion. We used to be like that—but we know how good and generous the Father is. He longs to bring every orphan into His home; we long for the same. As 1 Corinthians 5:20 says, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” We join the Father in preaching peace to those who are far off and those who are near.

Take a moment to consider people in your life who don’t know Jesus. Can you feel the Father’s longing to bring them into His family? What steps can you take to reconcile them to God?

We hope you have been blessed by this reading plan. For more information on helping people “To know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same®,” visit The Navigators.