The Fruit of Forgiveness is Reconciliation

 

THE FRUIT OF FORGIVENESS IS RECONCILIATION:

The dictionary’s definition of reconciliation is as follows, “The act of causing two people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement. 

In relation to our disconnect to God, we find our sin nature is the problem.

• We were born with a sin nature which causes us to sin. 

• Sin separates us from God.

• The penalty for sin is eternal death.

• But God’s love for us was so powerful that He gave His own Son’s life to pay for our sin, so that we can have forgiveness.

• God’s love bought our forgiveness.

• Forgiveness made possible our reconciliation with God.

30 Romans 5:10-12(NIV)

For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

So, if we truly are a new person, we are not going to be so concerned with our rights, or with our opinions being ignored, or with offense to what someone has said or done. We will not demand our own way or put our concerns or interests above that of our brothers or sisters.

Reconciliation also demands that we are quick to ask for forgiveness when we have offended someone. We do not wait for them to come to us. We immediately go to them when we realize we have hurt them or wronged them.

31 Philippians 2:3-4(ESV)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also, to the interests of others.

The love of God in us makes us more concerned about the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of others rather than our feelings. We try to see things from their point of view. We try to understand where they are coming from. The love of God in us, enables us to forgive, and ask for forgiveness which brings about reconciliation between us. 

2 Corinthians 5:18-19(NLT)

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

As ambassadors for Christ then, we are very careful not to offend others so that we don’t destroy any opportunity we have of leading them to Christ.

32 Proverbs 18:19(NLT)

An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

Our ministry of reconciliation demands to be set first and foremost in our relationships with unbelievers. And we must give full attention to dealing with any offences that prevent growing fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Without reconciliation, there is no hope for future relationship or fellowship with that person. We are commanded to love each other with the love of Christ. This is our most powerful witness. When unbelievers see the love God’s people demonstrate toward each other, they will want to be part of our group.

33 John 13:35(NIV)

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

People outside the church are watching to see how we live in love. If we are unloving, they have no reason to ask us why we are different than others. Without unconditional love, there is nothing to set us apart from the rest of the world. To win people to Christ, we must love them unconditionally. 

We must forgive unconditionally. That’s not saying we don’t hold them accountable for their behavior, but we must forgive, even if they are not repentant. There may be consequences for their actions, but we can still love them.

The fruit of the Spirit is love.

The fruit of love is forgiveness.

The fruit of forgiveness is reconciliation.