As I was thinking about RECONCILIATION (whether between God and man or between man and man) I realized there is the hard part and the easy part. The Good News is that Jesus did the hard part, which makes our part, the easy part.
What led me to this thought was the idea that years of division and brokenness can be overcome in a moment. Yes, reestablishing relationships takes time, but reconciling can happen in a moment, because the work of reconciliation was done on the cross. Years of hurt, separation, angst can melt away, like rust from an old hinge, when the Oil of the Holy Spirit is applied. Then the lives can begin to move and work together.
We just need to humble ourselves and accept the gracious gift of renewing, restoring, reconciling, which is provided by the death and resurrection of Jesus, and obtained through submission to the Holy Spirit. The same One Who did the hard part actually helps us do the easy part.
It is the miraculous, Divine nature of reconciliation that makes the "impossible," possible. It may seem difficult, but the option of reconciliation is schism, and brokenness, and suffering, which is actually hard. Continued division requires at least one person who is unwilling to deny self, and humble themselves, and forgive or repent. Regardless of who the offender is, everyone suffers the hardship of division. The Bible wisely says that good understanding gives grace but the way of the transgressor is hard (Pr. 13:15).
Just as with other steps of obedience, this step is daunting, but following Christ by faith will destroy the barrier and reveal the blessing.
Reconciliation is love in action.
2 Corinthians 5:14-20
(14) For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
(15) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
(16) Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
(17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
(18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
(19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
(20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
