Ministry of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:18 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” I heard a story today about a revival group pastor at Bethel’s school of ministry named Ben. He had trust, openness, and great favor with everyone he came into contact with. But then he found himself in bed with an intern, who then told the pastoral staff about the affair. Pastor Danny Silk was tasked with talking to Pastor Ben, who was naturally scared of being punished. But P Danny recounts (and I paraphrase) “I had faith in the ministry of reconciliation, so I had hope that it was going to work out. After some time, Ben confessed, which would have been enough for most because a confession gives cause for righteous release of punishment. But when you’re focused on punishment, it shows you have a relationship with the rules, and not with Jesus or with Ben.” Ben stepped down temporarily as revival group pastor so he could focus on ministering to his own family (while keeping a role as administrator with the church). Through a process of inner healing over the next year, Ben discovered that the root cause of his sin were broken spots of fear of rejection that ran deep from his past. With the help of Pastor Danny and the church, Ben experienced supernatural transformation and restored his marriage. Even his kids grew to a totally new level of intimacy with Ben and with God through the process. Pastor Ben has now been restored into his position, and countless people have found hope in his story. He likes to say that “punishment is so much easier than discipline.” While punishment can be administered quickly, discipline requires walking through a process of restoration and reconciliation. Lord I thank you for the ministry of reconciliation. I pray that I can have more faith in your ability to reconcile, and have less faith in the power of punishment. May I love and forgive others, because you first loved and forgave me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.