God’s Family Business
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:19b-20)
I was inspired by a recent sermon suggesting that we, saved believers, adopted children of God and co-heirs with His risen Son Jesus, are members of God’s family business. I hadn’t really thought of it that way. But then I am reminded what Jesus said to His parents when they asked where He had been, He replied, “I must be about My Father’s business.”
So, what then is God’s family business all about? It’s certainly not what we would think about in traditional business terms – you know, profits and market share.
Let’s begin with His plan of reconciliation. I chose the 2 Corinthians verses as they speak to it being God who is drawing us to Him. Sometimes we Christians think it is the works we do that draws God to us. Anyway, God’s plan is to bring His people back into relationship with Him – as it was designed to be before Adam and Eve’s fall to sin. We know that Jesus came to bring us back into that relationship once again – and for always. Now we who have accepted Jesus as Savior, are able to be in the righteous relationship God formed us for from the beginning.
Throughout Jesus’ life, He was focused on saving the lost, the unbelieving, and even those who thought they had all the answers to the relationship barriers with God. He wasn’t repelled by sinfulness, rather He saw the worth of each person He encountered. He accepts us as we are, but He doesn’t leave us the way we’re found.
How, then, do we understand our role in bringing the relationship message to others, who don’t know God’s love? We must know God ourselves – so investing our heart, soul, and minds in knowing God and then making Him known wherever we go. By our example we can make God known to those we encounter each day.
It's not as difficult as you think. Many of us shy away from evangelizing because we’re not salespeople. We don’t feel we can sell the product. But the good news is this, God isn’t asking us to sell the Gospel. Our work is to share the message of Jesus and represent Him through our lives. The way we engage with people as God’s representatives can bring them toward the Lord.
Jesus’ compassion for people earned Him trust and respect. Let us approach our interactions with others from a foundation of respect and then we can represent out “family business” so that it opens hearts and minds to follow Jesus.
Thank You, Father, for Christ. Thank You that in Him I am reconciled to You and clothed in the righteousness of my Savior. Help me tell others about You so that many may be reconciled to You. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.