Reconciliation
Due to time and theme restraints, these ideas did not make it into the Sunday morning sermon entitled, “Soul School: Homework Expectations.”

Our Soul School homework is the very difficult ministry of reconciliation. There are at least three reasons that reconciliation is difficult for us.

1. Reconciliation is about being righteous rather than being acknowledged as being right. On the cross, Jesus was righteous; however, in the minds of the people watching, he was wrong. His enemies thought He was wrong in who He said He was. His friends thought He was wrong in not fighting. Jesus completed the ultimate act of righteousness rather than trying to explain or argue for the correctness of His positions. The way of reconciliation requires us to do right rather than be declared right.

2. Reconciliation requires sacrifice. We often have to sacrifice ego and time. These are two of the most difficult things for us to give up.

3. Reconciliation is humanly impossible. It can only be done as we rely on the Spirit of God to direct our lives. When you attempt reconciliation in your own power, you will feel like a failed and unappreciated martyr. As a result, you will eventually stop making reconciling steps.