God's Business

As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. [2 Corinthians 6.1-2]

What is "this marvelous gift of God's kindness" found in the preceding sentences? (note my highlighted words)

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. [2 Corinthians 5.18-19]

It is one thing to receive a gift. But to receive a gift and then do nothing with it speaks volumes about what we really think about the gift!

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. [2 Corinthians 5.20-21]

The "gift" is only manifested in us when it is given through us. The only proof we have received the gift is found in our giving it.

Think about that just a moment...

Think about what "reconciling the world to Himself..." means in the passage from 2 Corinthians 5.18-19. Paul says it very clearly: "no longer counting people’s sins against them." It means forgiveness!

God's "business" is forgiveness.

So what is our work? It is our gift! What is our gift? Forgiveness. So, our work on earth (in the business of God) is forgiveness! We are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God - we are ambassadors of forgiveness.

Wow.

Father, I know You are speaking to me. I know You are speaking to others about this same topic. I know Your Church needs to get busy with Your business: forgiveness.