2 Corinthians 5:18 “All things are from God… even our reconciliation, His gift to us through Jesus. What is a ministry…the ministry of reconciliation? Can we encourage people to be reconciled to God if we’ve not been reconciled ourselves? Paul didn’t write his letter to the Corinthians without his personal experience of reconciliation. That day, on the road to Damascus, Jesus changed Paul’s life forever. Jesus offered him something he didn’t know he wanted, but desperately needed. That season in Paul’s life, when Jesus anointed him to be a part of the ministry of reconciliation, not only gave him a new purpose, life focus, it gave Paul the ability to be an example of the righteousness of God. We can’t say he was without sin, but we can say he was led by the spirit. If anyone believed he was unworthy to be reconciled to God, Paul’s ‘resume’ proved that Jesus reconciles even ‘wretches like me’. Our testimony bears witness to the power of reconciliation. Everyone needs to hear that message. Perhaps we’ve had a ‘Damascus’ experience, maybe we can point to the day of our own reconciliation, the day when we first believed. That would be the day we started our new job, passing on what we’ve received. Our own reconciliation, harmony with God, loosens our tongue and opens our mouth to speak His Words to the lost, the hopeless, those trapped in a web of lies and deceit. The ministry of reconciliation is vital to eternal life. Paul told the Romans, how can the people know the truth, if they’ve not heard it? And how can they hear if there isn’t a preacher, a minister who said in their heart, ‘Here am I, send me’! Paul received everything he needed to be a part of the ministry of reconciliation, we’ve received it, too…everything we need. Lord, thank You for loving us enough… the whole purpose of creation is reconciliation. It takes our breath away when we think of what it cost You to be our Redeemer. We don’t deserve it. We’re not worthy of it, but we desperately need Your favor