The Messenger and Message of Reconciliation

 Greetings,

War is always present between the spirit and the flesh. For the believers appointed with the sharing of the Gospel, the conflict between them (false teachers) and us presents a daring case by which the authority and integrity of the messenger, God's appointed, is tested. Paul, the apostle, faced these challenges as he addressed the problems plaguing the church at Corinth in II Corinthians 5:11-21. Some false teachers had injected their way into the fellowship to challenge Paul's authority and integrity. Three perspectives are crucial to the believer today, revealing Paul's defense of his authority and integrity against his critics. Each view outlines the believer's position that helps us to minister by God's standard as a messenger of the message.

Three Perspectives also viewed as the three C's necessary for overcoming the struggles in ministry.

1. Constrained By The Love of Christ-II Corinthians 5: 11-15
2. Changed By The Power of Christ- II Corinthians 5:16-17
3. Called To Share The Message Of Christ- II Corinthians 5: 18-21

Analyzing each of these views formed is a complete picture of the believer as ministers of the Gospel. Paul relays that Christ's love for others enables the believer to function as ministers of the Gospel. Secondly, the work of the ministry is only practical because the believer no longer operates from a flesh base but is now, through the work of the cross, a new creature and old things, and former ways of managing no longer present. However, being new creatures does not mean a believer will no longer be prone to temptation and sin. Instead, the power of Christ in a believer's life is the key to sustainability and victory over those challenges faced (Romans 7:24-25).

 Lastly, the believer is called into a ministry of reconciliation as ambassadors for Christ. That is to say, the biblical meaning of reconciliation requires a change of relationship with God and is made possible by the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary. An ambassador functions in a dual role, as a messenger and representative. An ambassador for Christ has no authority without the power of Christ in their life. Moreover, each believer commensurate the task of working for Christ as reconciling sinners to God, even as God reconciled believers to Himself. New creatures should produce new creatures.

Blessings of Peace,

Minster Sylvia Joyner