We are about to start something new. I am going to start looking at the humanity of God’s heroes. One of the overwhelming characteristics of God is His willingness to forgive and restore His chosen. From Genesis to Revelation God showcases His people in the finest and most dismal moments. Like any Father, God wants nothing more than to see His people live full and meaningful lives on earth and to prepare us for an eternity with Him in Heaven.
Still, try as we might, we find ourselves attempting to assist God or downright rejecting His leadership. When that happens, the mess that ensues can be painful, devastating and life-altering. We then turn our faces away from God or simply hang our head in shame knowing we have failed. The great news is that Our God is a God of a second chance…(actually, considerably more than a second chance.) When, as fathers and parents so frail and sinful, we can love and forgive our kids mistakes and failures; HOW MUCH MORE can the God of the Universe who created us, shaped us, sacrificed for us, guides us, and forgives us; do the same.
When we become one of His own, we receive the ministry of reconciliation. We become new creatures. We are justified, sanctified, and glorified through Christ.
Over the next several weeks, we will look at folks that have hit bottom and then were used mightily by God. We will look at folks whose lives seemed hopeless only to be mighty game changers. The message is that we are created for a mission. When we are in process, often God can even use our failures and falls to make the most of the journey. We can never give up, and we must never believe the lies of enemy that we are not good enough or spiritual enough to be used by God.
God Bless You
For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[b] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
Walking With God 