The sometimes forgotten New Commandment:
A new commandment I give unto you,
That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13:34
Where can we start to look for God’s work of Reconciliation?
How about with the Prodigal Son?
The son who left his family and his father and when he chose to return due to circumstances that allowed for a change of heart, he was forgiven and loved and taken back in by his father with celebration.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
Or what about Joseph?
His brothers sold him into slavery, they lied to his father that he was killed.
Joseph was then put in jail for something he didn’t do and through God ordained circumstances, rose to great power in the kingdom of Egypt. God gave him great wisdom. Joseph knew a famine was coming and he stored food during the time of plenty. It was then, all his brothers came and bowed down before him as they were at his mercy. Joseph forgave them and they were reconciled after many years.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
Job was estranged from many in his life, even his wife could not tolerate his breath, he said. Job was given from God twice as much as he had before. and his relationships were restored.
The Lord makes all things new.
He binds the brokenhearted.
He restores what the locusts eat.
He turns all things together for good for those who love Him
and for those who are called according to His purpose.
After Esau sold his birthright, he was very angry at Jacob and wanted to kill him. Many years later, Esau ran and embraced Jacob.
Jesus has no place in His kingdom for anger, hostility, rage, unforgiveness, hatred, or grudges. He wants love flowing between the brethren and even from us to our enemies.
The Power of God’s Reconciliation. Don’t block His work. Let it happen.
Additional Scriptures:
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:13
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,
the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm,
my great army which I sent among you.
Joel 2:25
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28