ministry of reconciliation Archives - Bible Advocate Advocating the Bible, representing the Church, and glorifying the God of grace and truth Wed, 30 Apr 2025 17:31:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://baonline.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/05/cropped-file-32x32.jpg ministry of reconciliation Archives - Bible Advocate 32 32 Peace and Goodwill — Toward All https://baonline.org/peace-and-goodwill-toward-all/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 07:00:38 +0000 https://baonline.org/?p=26513

Sunrise over Lake Bled, Slovenia, with misty reflections and a church on the island, framed by serene mountains.

When I heard that the Bible Advocate was spending a year on the Ministry of Reconciliation, I was thrilled. Some of my first Christian thoughts were those of reconciliation. Today, after seven years as a pastor, I still think we need to hear this message and spread it with the greatest resolve. I base my […]

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]]> Let Justice Roll https://baonline.org/let-justice-roll/ Fri, 23 Oct 2020 06:00:48 +0000 https://baonline.org/?p=26286

Bronze sculpture of figures pushing a large stone sphere in a park setting.

Christians are justified by a God of justice and commanded to be people of justice, but often we fail to embrace our identity and calling.

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]]> Working Toward Harmony https://baonline.org/working-toward-harmony/ Fri, 31 Jul 2020 06:00:10 +0000 https://baonline.org/?p=25920

Vibrant sunflowers in full bloom, showcasing bright yellow petals and dark centers in a sunny field.

Are you concerned about harmony within the church? Many of us are. How then can we be reconciled with our brothers and sisters in our congregations? What is the ministry of reconciliation that 2 Corinthians 5:18b talks about: “Christ . . . gave us the ministry of reconciliation”? After reading this text, I asked myself, Am […]

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]]> Talk the Walk https://baonline.org/talk-the-walk/ Fri, 03 Jul 2020 06:00:50 +0000 https://baonline.org/?p=25851

Smiling woman in yellow sweater holding smartphone and coffee mug indoors, feeling happy and relaxed.

As I’m writing, the COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping the globe, impacting daily life for billions of people. If the past few months have taught us anything, it’s that we cannot predict the future. I can’t imagine what the world may be like by the time this article is published. What I do know is that […]

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]]> Faithful Ambassadors https://baonline.org/faithful-ambassadors/ Wed, 01 Jul 2020 22:29:51 +0000 https://baonline.org/?p=25839

Cover of Bible Advocate magazine July-August 2020 featuring colorful canyon with the title Ambassadors.

We are called to be ambassadors for Christ. We know that. But what might it mean in this season of COVID and change? Make no mistake, we are living in the end. If not The End, an end. Hinges in history — turning points — are tumultuous, but they are also generative. God brings new […]

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]]> A Picture’s Worth https://baonline.org/a-pictures-worth/ Fri, 26 Jun 2020 05:59:43 +0000 https://baonline.org/?p=25790

A joyful child embraces a relaxed lion, showcasing a unique bond in a natural setting.

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” We know this from experience. In fact, just reading this saying brings images to mind. For some it is a newborn baby, for others the Twin Towers on 9/11. For me, a picture comes to mind from a courtroom. In 1995 former professional football player O. J. Simpson […]

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]]> A Letter to the Church https://baonline.org/a-letter-to-the-church/ Fri, 19 Jun 2020 05:59:41 +0000 https://baonline.org/?p=25739

Person writing on documents with a pen, wearing a blue shirt, at a desk.Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself . . . (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19). Paul’s second epistle to the Corinthians surprises us each time we read it. One […]

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]]> First Word – Peace and Pieces https://baonline.org/first-word-peace-and-pieces/ Thu, 02 Jan 2020 15:21:10 +0000 https://baonline.org/?p=24664

Three crosses silhouetted against a dramatic sunset sky, symbolizing faith and hope.Greetings, BA readers! It’s an exciting new year, and we have an exciting new theme to go with it. Following our Great Commission focus last year, 2020 is dedicated to what the apostle Paul called the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). We have all year to explore this profound and demanding text, but here’s […]

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