I don’t know about you, but I like when things are new. I love having a new iPhone, a new car, or even a new pair of shoes. More important than new things, I am thankful that Jesus Christ has given me a new life. II Corinthians 5:17–18 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” Christ has made us new through reconciliation.

Reconciliation means restoration — to restore to fellowship. Because of my sin, I was at odds with God, but Jesus Christ reconciled me back to God through the cross. Once He reconciled me, He gave me a new life. Not only that, but with this new life He has given us a new name. No longer are we known as sinners, drunkards, liars, or thieves; instead, we are known as justified, redeemed, reconciled, sanctified — children of God. Along with the new name, we have been given a new family. Romans 8 says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” We are part of the family of God.

One day, we will have a new home where we will walk on streets of gold, live in a mansion, where the gates are made of pearls, and there will be no night there. That is what reconciliation has done for us. Not only have we been reconciled, but Christ has also given us the ministry of telling others how they can be reconciled to God. II Corinthians 5:18 says, “…and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” We get to tell them about the new life they can have because of reconciliation. Let’s take this new ministry we have and go tell others about what Christ has done for them.

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Robert Simmons, C Ministry Director

Robert Simmons works on the faculty of Golden State Baptist College. He is the College Bus Ministry Director and the Men’s Dorm Supervisor.