The Ministry of Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:13
11 Knowing therefore that terror of the Lord, we persuade men, and we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also that we are made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we praise not ourselves again unto you, but give you an occasion to rejoice of us, that ye may have to answer against them, which rejoice in the face, and not in the heart. 13 For whether we be out of our wit, we are it to God; or whether we be in our right mind, we are it unto you. 14 For that love of Christ constraineth us, 15 Because we thus judge, that if one be dead for all, then were all dead, and 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 had known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, let him be a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, which hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given unto us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 For God was in Christ, and reconciled the world to himself, not imputing their sins unto them, and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then are we ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you through us, we pray you in Christ's stead, that ye be reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, which knew no sin, that we should be made the righteousness of God in him. 6:1 So we therefore as workers together beseech you, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee; behold now the accepted time, behold now the day of salvation. 3 We give no occasion of offence in anything, that our ministry should not be reprehended. 4 But in all things we approve ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in prisons, in tumults, in labors, 6 By watchings, by fastings, by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand, and on the left, 8 By honor, and dishonor, by evil report, and good report, as deceivers, and yet true; 9 As unknown, and yet known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 As sorrowing, and yet alway rejoicing; as poor, and yet make many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 11 O Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is made large. 12 Ye are not kept strait in us, but ye are kept strait in your own bowels. 13 Now for the same recompense, I speak as to my children, Be you also enlarged.
Steve
1 Corinthians 14:8
And also if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to battle?
"Let not Geneva be forgotten or despised. Religious liberty owes it most respect." John Adams, the second president of the United States