Preach it, Mama!

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

You've heard the term "irreconcilable differences" used as grounds for divorce.  It covers a wide range of reasons for divorce, but basically the married couple is saying, "We just can't see eye to eye.  We are too different. This isn't going to work."  Wikipedia defines it this way, "Any sort of difference between the two parties that either cannot or will not be changed can be considered irreconcilable differences. Some states use the terms irremediable breakdown, irretrievable breakdown, or incompatibility."  Yikes. Irretrievable breakdown sounds like sad hopelessness to me.  And yet...isn't that what humanity is to her Creator God? He had every right in the world when Adam and Eve turned their backs on Him and sin entered their hearts to say "'Irreconcilable differences'". I am the Judge. We're done here."
But what does He do instead? He woos His people, His bride Israel.  He sets about a Great Rescue Plan and He makes covenant and keeps it no matter what.  He knows there are irreconcilable differences in the heart of every human He brings into existence. He knows divorce from His people would be justified.  But...He (God the Father) made Him (Christ the Son) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:21)  Notice the actual impartations going on there.  Jesus became sin. I became righteous.  He made a way for our irreconcilable differences to become reconciled... 

Enemies of the cross...to His beloved in the throneroom. Selah, sister.

The word Reconcile in the greek is "Kattalasso" meaning  1) to change, exchange, as coins for others of equivalent value 1a) to reconcile (those who are at variance) 1b) return to favour with, be reconciled to one 1c) to receive one into favour

You and I have been reconciled to God through the work of Christ Jesus on the cross.  God is not counting our trespasses against us. (2 Cor 5:18-19) They're gone because Jesus became them on the cross and got rid of them.  So we are brought near! Our account with God is clear because He looks at you and He looks at me and He sees the righteous purity of His Son in us.  Picture a big red stamp on the ledger of all the thoughts, words, actions, motivations that you ever have done, will ever do (or are doing right now) against God that says "RECONCILED".  Holy smokes, girls!  This is freedom!  This is freedom because we no longer have to try to blame others for our sin, or try hard to make God love us and accept us even though we still sin, or get all gussied up before we come to Him, or try to gain acceptance or prove ourselves to this world and hide our weaknesses.  The truth - His Truth - sets us free. Praise the Living God.

Now why spend so much time preaching this again and again?  Because if we do not understand, know and believe our reconciliation to God in Christ, then we can not minister the word of reconciliation to this world, namely our children (since our motherhood is the emphasis of these 2 Cor blog entries.)  Paul David Tripp recently spoke at a conference I attended and He said you are always preaching something to yourself. What is it? Is it the Gospel? Are we preaching reconciliation to our souls and praying for the faith to believe and then walk in it?  

Our kids and this world are crying out to hear bells ringing for freedom.  And we have been granted by God's divine sovereign grace this ministry of reconciliation which is exactly that. We preach Christ crucified!  We beg and urge, as appointed ambassadors, to make an appeal for Christ and His work.  We are the extension of His ministry here on earth. Look at this cool definition of ambassador coming straight from the literal greek...

Ambassador: an official envoy; especially : a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment

What are you preaching to yourself? Is is condemnation? The Law? The world's not-so-good-news message? Because as sure as "at the overflow of the heart the mouth will speak" that is the very thing we will be preaching to our little ones.  

Preach reconciliation to your hearts everyday.  Sing of your freedom as you make an appeal for the One who bought it for you.  Sing of your Reconciled Differences and that your Husband has not and will not ever divorce you.  He has won us over.  

Beg. Urge. Make an appeal with your life and lips...for God Most High Himself has committed to you this blessed ministry of reconciliation.