Our World Aflame Part Seven: The Path to Reconciliation

The path to reconciliation. I thought my summer series on Our World Aflame had ended. Yesterday in church, I discovered God had another message, that of hope in a world gone mad. Jesus Christ, the Great Reconciler of men, offers hope and peace where none exists. As Christians we have the answer. I would love to hear your comments.

 

2MefromHim Devotionals

The Path to Reconciliation

For He, Himself is our peace, who has…destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…to create in Himself one new humanity… Ephesians 2:14-15

People are dying—on battlefields, in embassies, on city streets, and in private homes. Race, religion, politics, and matters of seemingly little consequence provoke reactions far out of proportion to what is appropriate. People have no hope. Marriages, youth, families are in trouble. Our world is aflame, torn apart by violence and hate. We need reconciliation now.

However, stories of hope do exist. Many years ago, the husband of a dear friend confessed to an affair and left his wife, bitter and heartbroken. Their church, friends, and family were shocked. With no hope of reconciliation, the divorce moved toward finalization. The night before the divorce was final, this wayward husband, convicted by the Holy Spirit, asked his wife’s forgiveness. He confessed his sin and a willingness to do what was necessary to bring healing. Many years later, their marriage stands as a testimony to God’s ability to heal and renew. Families need reconciliation.

My sister and niece recently returned from a mission trip to a war-torn part of the world. They found people of a different race and a religion generally hostile to Christianity, open and often eager to hear the words of the gospel, to share their homes and friendship with American Christians, to find peace in their frightening world. Races need reconciliation.

My daughter, now a paramedic in a large city, deals with people in unbelievable need and hopelessness. One night, she and her partner sat on a street median in another city with members of an often nationally reviled police force for whom she carries the highest regard. She knows firsthand that police in this particular city want only to help people, to enforce the law, and keep citizens safe. However, the high rate of drug use, staggering rates of mentally ill, illegal immigration and poverty leave people to wander the streets. These problems place law enforcement officials in extreme personal danger. That night, some high-ranking officers, sat with two paramedics and young man, beaten by his so-called friends, trying to find him a new place to stay, a place he could have guidance to make better choices. They took themselves off-line and dealt with one person in need of understanding. The hopeless need reconciliation.

The popular world mindset is to not only get even, but also do one worse. However, God desires reconciliation for all people, explaining in Ephesians 2 that Jesus Christ “has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility”.

Christians have the handbook to restoring broken relationships, yet our example is too often failure. When our daughter went to a small town college, the number of churches amazed us. A friend explained that it was not due to exceptional numbers of believers, but splits within congregations that led to churches on almost every corner. Believers need to show a better face, to each other, and to the world. The church needs reconciliation.

It’s too easy to hold grudges against people who have hurt us, against those who are different. Ephesians 2 reveals God’s desire that all peoples, though differing in religion, race, and customs, become as one through faith in Jesus Christ. The pagan Ephesians, Gentiles lacking knowledge of the one, true God, were offered the same chance of salvation as God’s Jewish people, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Today, immigrants, the poor, and underprivileged fight in the streets daily. Christianity offers the hope of peace and acceptance the government can never give. We have the message of “Jesus Christ, the Rock, a firm foundation, the hope of all mankind to share with this hurting world.

God calls believers to share the truth that people from disparate backgrounds and societies can become one, “built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit”. Our world needs reconciliation.

Whatever wounds we carry. Whatever struggles we face. Whatever men deny us. Jesus Christ provides the way to love, acceptance, and hope. Jesus offers salvation for our souls. He offers salvation for our society. In whatever sphere you influence. Our world is aflame. Share God’s key to reconciliation. Share hope.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, September 25, 2016

If you’re interested in the rest of this series on Our World Aflame, visit these links:

Stains: https://www.normagail.org/stains

Amazing Mess: https://www.normagail.org/world-aflame/part-two-amazing-mess

Every Tribe and Nation: https://www.normagail.org/every-tribe-and-nation/

The Days of Noah: https://www.normagail.org/world-aflame-part-four-days-of-noah/

A Wild Donkey: https://www.normagail.org/world-aflame-part-five-wild-donkey

Turning a Deaf Ear: https://www.normagail.org/world-aflame-part-six-turning-a-deaf-ear

About the author:

Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

Book Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http:// lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173