We are living in dangerous times in the history of humanity where people get angry and offended easily by anything or anyone. People leave homes, jobs, relationships, marriages etc when offence or misunderstandings arise. People are afraid of resolving issues so the only easy way out is to live in denial and separation. (Anger stats, The British Association of Anger Management).
I have read many stories from both the Old Testament and the New Testament and found how people loved by God rebelled against Him many times and God allowed enemies to take them into captivity for a certain period of time. God then sends His prophets with a message of repentance and deliverance; and when they repent from their sins, He brings them back home and reconcile.When Adam and Eve, created in the image of God rebelled against God and ate the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, humanity was never the same as God intended. Dominion and the presence of God was lost because of sin and that separated humanity from God.
5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Genesis 6:5-8 (NKJV)
As many years passed, sin and wickedness began to increase as people multiplied on the earth. Noah came into the picture and he was the only righteous man in his time. He was not a perfect person with no faults or sin but he sought God and did His will. God told Noah to build an Ark to accommodate male and female animals and his family because He was grieved about what people were doing on the earth. God is a good creator and very creative people are always protective of their creations. When they draw, paint or build something and they see that it is good, they will be very unhappy if someone destroyed the piece they had created. Likewise God used Noah to save His creations so He didn’t have to start from scratch, because in the beginning when He finished creating everything He said it was good as recorded in Genesis 1. God’s heart was glad to see Noah and his family worship and honour His name so He spared their life.
Like any good creator, before you start your creative work, you put a lot of thought into what your creation will become. You plan out a purpose for your creation. So throughout the design phase, the purpose of the creation is in the minds of the designers. That is what happened when God created you. He had a specific purpose and plan for your life; a purpose for which He knew only you can fulfil. Thus when you fall away from Him, He does not just give up on you and move to the next person. Instead, He chases after you so that you can come back in line to fulfil your primary purpose.
Jesus told a story about the prodigal son who left his father’s house and spent all his money away. His father never stopped looking out for him and that is why when he eventually returned, his father threw a big party to celebrate his return. Jesus said heaven rejoices over one single sinner who repents. Heaven rejoices because the Glory of God has been restored just like a light bulb that is switched on.
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9a (NKJV)
In my own personal life, there have been times I felt distant from God and lost interest in reading my Bible on a daily basis and praying; it’s a lonely place to be in. In those situations I begin to think for myself, get angry easily with my children or I become very defensive and think I am always right when my wife tries to say something constructive to me. In my heart I build this thick wall and will not let anyone in. When I get to the rebellion state, Father God always find a way to break in and humble me to my knees with His love and draws me back to Himself. God is a good good father and His love is unfailing and always pursuing me until I come to myself.
Why will God reconcile with humanity?
It is because we carry His Glory and Glory carriers are set apart for Him. The Glory of God in us make us the light of the world and when we fall away from Him our light is switched off and once we return back to Him, our light is switched back on and so heaven rejoices.
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols.
Isaiah 42:8 (NLT)
This scripture makes it clear that Father God has one thing He does not share with anyone or anything; His Glory. Because of sin we lose the Glory of God and that is the reason God will go to every length to get back His Glory.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
When you give your life to Christ (born-again), you are declaring that God can have His Glory back again through reconciliation by the blood of Jesus. Jesus was the price Father God had to pay to get His Glory back as He intended from the beginning of all things.
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 1:27-28 (NKJV)
God’s grace and mercy for us, unveiled this powerful mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. When Jesus Christ lives in you, it’s not you who now live, and so you begin to manifest the character of Jesus and that brings the Glory of God to life. No matter what you have done or where you have been, it is time to make amends with people or family you have fallen out with and ultimately, with your Father in heaven. There is so much grace of God available to you right now for healing and reconciliation. Father God loves you so much and does not want you to miss out on the Power of reconciliation.
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NKJV)
God has great plans for you, as every good parent has plans for their children to enjoy life to the full. If along the way there is a hiccup and the children are not living a purposeful life, the original plan for their children still stands.
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:18 NKJV
God promised He will never leave us nor forsake us, that’s why He is calling us back home to where we belong, where our purpose come alive. A place we become ourselves again.
Take this moment to reflect and allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Ask the Lord to heal your heart and forgive you. You might also have to forgive and release people as you forgive yourself. The blood of Jesus has paid the price for everything and in Jesus name you will be a new person, one with the Father again whose love for you is everlasting.
Father I pray for everyone reading this right now. I pray for healing, forgiveness and restoration to move right now. Reconcile them back to You as Your sons and daughters and set them free from any guilt, shame and unforgiveness in Jesus name. Amen!
May you be filled with the Fullness of God and the Power of His Love!
