| The Christian Life | November 1945 |
Co-workers with God
The Ministry of Reconciliation
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”—II Corinthians 5:18
THE necessity for a ministry of reconciliation lies in the fact that the human race is estranged from God on account of sin. The original sin which alienated mankind from God was committed by father Adam. Through him the whole world came under condemnation to death because, through heredity and by continuing in the wrong course, they also are sinners. The basis for reconciliation is in the redemptive work of Christ, so the apostle writes “that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.” That we have been made ministers, or servants of reconciliation, means that we are co-workers with God.
The grace of God manifested in extending to us the honor of being co-workers with him is beyond human comprehension. Were the matter not so clearly stated in the Scriptures we would be presumptuous indeed to aspire to such an exalted position in the divine plan. This ministry belongs both to the present and to the future. Its present aspect is largely that of sacrificing and suffering, but while laying down our lives in sacrifice now, we are inspired to zeal and faithfulness by the hope of glory to follow.
The sacrificial phase of the ministry of reconciliation was begun by Christ, the Chief or High Priest—foreshadowed by the high priests of Israel—and it is participated in by the entire royal priesthood. All the priests share in the “better sacrifices” which have progressed throughout the Gospel age. Paul writes, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, to present your bodies a living sacrifice.” (Rom. 12:1) This is indeed a high honor! Paul writes, “No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest.”—Heb. 5:4,5
Just as Jesus was definitely invited to this high station in the divine program of reconciliation, so his body members, the under priesthood, have likewise been called of God. “Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,” writes the apostle, “consider the Apostle and High Priest of your profession, Christ Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1) Writing concerning the same great honor of being co-workers with God, the apostle says, “And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.”—II Cor. 3:4,5
Yes, we gladly acknowledge that “our sufficiency is of God.” To begin with, we were “by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Eph. 2:3) We were in sore need ourselves of being reconciled to God before we could be called and accepted by him as co-workers in the great project of reconciling the world of mankind. But we were unable to bring about our own reconciliation. We had nothing wherewith to commend ourselves to God. He was the one who made provision for us. As our text relates, he “reconciled us to himself, by Jesus Christ.” Truly then we should recognize that “our sufficiency is of God.”
The Future Work
The major work of reconciliation so far as the world of mankind is concerned belongs to the next age, to the time when Christ and the church will rule together, and together serve as the world’s High Priest to dispense blessings of enlightenment, health, and life. It will be in that future age, when Christ and the church as ministers of the New Covenant, that the knowledge of the Lord will be caused to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea; and when none will need to say to his neighbor, know the Lord, “for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest.”—Jer. 31:31-34
This is a glorious prospect, a joy set before us in the Scriptures, which helps us to bear the cross and despise the shame connected with the present privilege of sacrifice. But let us not suppose that the entire ministry of reconciliation belongs to the future. There is a present ministry of reconciliation to which we are called, and it is our faithfulness to this ministry that demonstrates our worthiness of the future opportunities in glory.
And this is as it should be. Whoever receives the Spirit of sonship, and is made a sacrificing priest, is impelled by that Spirit to begin this ministry of reconciliation at once; and God has made provision for such zealous ones to manifest their love for him and their joy in his plan by engaging in that work with him. It is for this very purpose that he has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ.
The Love of Christ
In his introduction to the subject of reconciliation the apostle writes, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one [Christ] died for all, then were all dead.” (II Cor. 5:14) Judging this matter correctly we come to the conclusion, Paul explains, that we should not henceforth live unto ourselves, “but unto him which died for us and rose again.” (Verse 15) It is well to examine our hearts at this point and determine whether or not we have actually been so stirred by the love of God and the gracious provision he has made for us through Christ, that henceforth we desire to live only and all for him.
It is probable that some are not victorious Christians because they fail right at the start to renounce self fully. It is not enough that we conclude to serve God to some extent and serve self whenever we feel like it. “Some of self and some of Thee” is not true consecration. Nor will “Less of self and more of Thee” be acceptable to God. Not until we appreciate God’s love to the point where we can say from the heart, “None of self, but ALL of Thee,” are we in the attitude of heart that God will use and bless. It is this that Paul means when he says that we should not henceforth live unto ourselves, but unto Him.
It is the fully consecrated whom God begets and anoints with his Spirit, and who thus become “new creatures.” To these new creatures in Christ Jesus, “old things are passed away,” Paul declares, and “behold, all things are become new.” (II Cor. 5:17) According to verse 18, these “all things” which have become new “are of God.” And what are they? The apostle explains that they are the things concerned with the “ministry of reconciliation” which has been given to us as new creatures in Christ Jesus.
Now the way it works out, Paul explains, is this: “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then [Paul explains further] we are ambassadors for Christ.” That is to say, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and we represent Christ in this ministry, we speak for him. Instead of it being necessary for Christ personally to speak to each individual member of the race for whom he died and offering them the benefit of his sacrifice, we speak for him, and say, “Be ye reconciled to God.”—II Cor. 5:20
An Unchangeable Fundamental
Thus we have presented to us by the apostle one of the unchangeable fundamentals of the Christian life. No changes of time or circumstance in any way affect this fundamental. It was true in the beginning of the age; it was true throughout the age; it is still true now that we have reached the end of the age. It was true in the seed-sowing time during the age; it is just as true now in the harvest of the age. It is true with respect to individual Christians; and it is equally true respecting the responsibilities of groups of Christians.
In the beginning of the age Paul said, “God … now commandeth all men every where to repent.” (Acts 17:30) This commandment was given through the church, the members of which were ministers of reconciliation. It is still effective at the very close of the age, when the storm clouds of the great “time of trouble” are hovering over distressed humanity, when it is the church’s privilege to say to the world, “Seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”—Zeph. 2:3
Of the church class Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14) God, of course, is able to use other channels for his truth. He can cause the stones to cry out if need be, but the Scriptures are explicit, nevertheless, that it is the responsibility of the church, the priestly class, to bear the message of reconciliation to all who mourn at this time. It is the faithful sacrificing saints who are blessed with this privilege, not the great company class, as some would have us believe.
It is well that we endeavor to have this great fundamental truth firmly established in mind and heart, and that we be prepared to meet the responsibility it imposes upon us. If we are seeking to shirk responsibility, we will be able, probably, to find some method of human philosophy by which we can convince ourselves, and possibly others, that God no longer wants us to be ministers of reconciliation; that all he wants us to do now is to wait until he calls us into the Kingdom to be with Christ.
But any such viewpoint can be based only on human reasonings. There isn’t a single hint in the Bible that the time would ever come when God would not want his faithful people of the Gospel age to lay down their lives as ministers of reconciliation. It is to this that we are called, and it is as faithful ministers that we demonstrate our love for God and our appreciation of his grace in making it possible for us to be co-workers with him.
Satan is always ready to discourage the Lord’s people whenever the opportunity presents itself. All of us are more or less influenced by our surroundings and by local circumstances with which we may happen to be acquainted. At times brethren conclude that God’s work in the earth is all done, simply because they are no longer able to be active in the service. This is but natural. Elijah thought he was the only one left in Israel who stood for the Lord, but the Lord assured him otherwise—that there were yet seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal.
God bless the dear ones who have been long in the way, who have used their time and strength until they have no more to use. For many such the work on earth may be well nigh finished, but for those who have strength and opportunity, there is still work to do—the ministry of reconciliation is still to be carried on. No matter what our circumstances in life may be, let us try to get this larger viewpoint of God’s will for his people. If we can do nothing more, let us pray for God’s blessing upon those who are active in the ministry.
Speaking of how local conditions tend to influence our understanding, an example came to the attention of a number of brethren recently which proves the point. It was at one of the general conventions held this year. There was an immersion service at this convention, but only two brethren offered themselves for water immersion. A number of the brethren at the convention at once seized upon this as proof that the door to the high calling was about closed, that there was little point in doing any more witness work; in short, that the work of God in the earth for this age was finished.
Later this year, at another convention, fifteen newly consecrated brethren symbolized their consecration to the Lord. Were we interpreting God’s will by circumstances of this kind we would have to conclude that he had changed his mind, and that his work was still going on. If the immersion of two signified that the door to the high calling had closed, or was about to close, then the immersion of fifteen, would surely indicate that it had been opened up again.
Thus Saith the Lord
As consecrated followers of the Master our only guide to what constitutes God’s will is what the Scriptures say. Whether many or few are coming into the truth has no bearing upon what God has commissioned us to do. Even if there were no apparent results from our efforts, this would not mean that we should cease laying down our lives as ministers of reconciliation. True, the joyful message of reconciliation should bring ready response in every place and from every class, but it doesn’t. As a rule it is rejected; and so far as large numbers are concerned, it has always been this way.
The prophet foretold that the message of reconciliation would not be accepted. Speaking for the priestly class, Isaiah inquires, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of Jehovah [Christ, the power of God unto salvation] revealed?” (Isa. 53:1) In every part of the age, the message has been accepted by only a few—one here and one there. The reason for the general rejection of the message of reconciliation is evident. It is because the world is steeped in sin, and because the way of unrighteousness is therefore more appealing. It is because the darkness hateth the light, hence those in darkness reject and sometimes persecute the light-bearers.
Under these circumstances, with the results of sin still abounding, is it any wonder that those who are faithful as ambassadors of Christ must suffer with him for righteousness’ sake? The great High Priest, Christ Jesus, who through his ministry was the light of the world, was despised and rejected and crucified by those who professed to love and follow righteousness. The apostles were similarly treated because of their refusal to compromise the message, the “word of reconciliation.”
Jesus said of all his followers, “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake,” and again, they “shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” (Luke 21:17; Matt. 5:11) But these experiences will not be true of any of us unless we let our light shine. If Satan can convince us that we should keep our light under a bushel—whether it be the “closed-door bushel,” “organization bushel,” the “work finished bushel,” or some other humanly conceived “bushel”—he will see to it that the world will not hate us. He will make sure that it is not true of us that “the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.”—Psa. 69:9
And what wonderful wisdom is displayed in the divine plan! It is while performing the present priestly ministry of reconciliation, to which the Spirit of anointing impels us, that each priest finds the necessity for offering up himself a living sacrifice. Yes, it is in this ministry that we find our chief opportunity for sacrifice. If we give up the ministry we very largely take our sacrifice off the altar. If we cease to suffer and to die with Him, we will not have the privilege of living and reigning with Him.
The measure of self-sacrifice and suffering for Christ, endured by each of the consecrated, becomes a measure (from God’s standpoint—for man, looking on the outward appearance only, cannot always discern it) of the faithfulness of each as an ambassador. Not to suffer for Christ’s sake and the truth’s sake in any manner, not to be recognized by the world as different and separate from the worldly, would indicate lack of faithfulness as ambassadors for Christ and ministers of reconciliation.
There is no cause for discouragement however, if we are not persecuted constantly for the truth’s sake. Not all are called upon to suffer in the same manner nor to the same degree. Paul speaks of those who were merely the “companions” of those who suffered at the forefront of the battle. Even Jesus was not persecuted every day. The main consideration is to be faithful to the ministry to which we have been called, to refuse to compromise the truth, and insist upon telling it out to our neighbors far and wide. Doing this, we can leave the results in the Lord’s hands, knowing that sooner or later he will manifest his approval by allowing us to feel the coldness of the world and the opposition of worldly Christians.
The Grace of God
Paul continues his discussion of the “ministry of reconciliation” saying, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” (II Cor. 6:1) The justification which makes our sacrifice acceptable is indeed wondrous grace. The privilege of being co-workers with God is also a marvelous manifestation of his favor. How tragic it would be to have received it in vain through unfaithfulness in its use. The apostle quotes from the Old Testament concerning the ministry which has been given to us, and in the quotation we are assured of divine help in this time when the better sacrifices of the Gospel age are being offered—“In the day of salvation have I succored thee.”
And then Paul writes, “Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed; but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings.” (II Cor. 6:3-5) It is evident from this that faithfulness in the ministry will lead to trials. It is manifest also that divine help will be needed in order to endure the experiences through which an active ministry will lead us.
And further, we are to approve ourselves as ministers of God, “By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true: as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”—II Cor. 6:6-10
It will be noted that in this listing which Paul sets forth of the things necessary for an approved ministry, he mentions practically every phase of Christian character development: the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives; putting on the “armor of God”; dying with Christ; having our names cast out as evil; and making ourselves poor through sacrifice. This indicates that all these important factors in Christian living constitute the background of the ministry. It means that we should be patient, be kind, be pure, know the truth, have on the armor of God, be filled with the Spirit, lay down our lives in sacrifice—all with the thought in mind of giving no offense in anything, “that the ministry be not blamed,” and that we “receive not the grace of God in vain.”
Then the apostle reaches a grand climax in his argument, exclaiming, “Oh ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.” (II Cor. 6:11) Yes, Paul’s heart had been enlarged by the truth. The grace of God had permeated his very soul. The Spirit of God impelled him to faithfulness in his ambassadorship. The love of God in his heart caused him to yearn for the blessing of others—not a few only, but all he possibly could reach. Whether God called him to Macedonia, to Jerusalem, or to Rome, Paul was ready and anxious to go and to use his strength to spread far and wide the “word of reconciliation.”
Paul endeavored to emulate the example of the Master, and he bids us to follow him as he followed Christ. Have our hearts been enlarged as was Paul’s? Is the truth to us merely a better religion than we ever heard of before, or is it in our lives, the power of God unto salvation—our own and other’s, as we can reach them with the “word of reconciliation”? Have our hearts been enlarged by the Gospel, or have we permitted our hearts to shrink simply because the Millennium is the principal time for the conversion of the world?
It is strange that any should hide behind the fact that this is not God’s time to convert the world as an excuse not to serve as ministers of reconciliation. We know that the world will not now be converted, but we know also that to the extent of our faithfulness God is now calling all men everywhere to repent, and that he wants us, through the ministry of the truth, to say on all suitable occasions, and to whomsoever will listen, “Be ye reconciled to God.” What a blessed privilege is ours! How highly we are honored!