The word for 'reconciled' in the following verses is Katallasso (Strong's G2644) and it means to 'get change for a dollar' or exchange one currency for different currency of an equal value.
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way" - 2 Corinthians 5:18- 6:4a ESV
The value of our choices does not change. Four quarters still equals a dollar. The question is, 'Where can I spend my money?' The gas station won't break a hundred dollar bill and the vending machine only takes quarters.
Jesus took all our guilt and paid for all our choices past, present and future. Our life before was un-spendable currency. Minutes ticked by and we could redeem none of them. Jesus redeemed our life and changed it into something of immeasurable, but usable, value in God's economy.
Ministers of reconciliation make change for people and reveal ways to make choices that have real value because of eternal perspective. They tell people, 'You have undervalued your soul. You think it is worth little but it is worth so much. God sees you as extremely valuable. He sent His Son to die so that you could be won back. He loves you.'
When people receive the grace of God in vain they just have money that they can not spend. They are rich but starving because they can't spend what they have to get what they need.
If we know grace and learn to communicate grace to people we can 'commend ourselves in every way' as servants of God. Not because we are serving God. He does not need our service. He has made us to be friends, sons and daughters. We provide a service to people by giving them the good news that their life has great worth and that they can use their will in useful ways by believing God.
So, Be reconciled to God this morning. Just go to Him and ask. He will provide all that you need for the day. You will lack nothing.
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