Show Us the Father’s Heart for Reconciliation *

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

Defining “reconciliation” seems, at first glance, easy enough to do--access a dictionary on the Internet, scan the definitions, and locate sample sentences revealing the correct usage of the word (e.g., financial reconciliation). However, the realm of relationships and reconciliation is not so straightforward. We hear of senseless human behaviours, but it is in our nature to want to make sense of the chaos (e.g., the recent horrific shootings in the Newtown elementary school in Connecticut).  No matter how many details we hear, no matter how many accounts the media shares, there are many things that just do not make sense. We admit, “I can’t wrap my mind around it”, which is another way of saying, “I can’t reconcile this in my mind”.

The disciples also had difficulty in reconciling ideas and relationships, including Jesus’ ministry and true identity, as well as His relationship to Father God. Phillip, said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us,” (Jn. 14:8), to which Jesus replied, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?” (Jn. 14:9). But who is this Father, and what does He want from His followers, what does He want from us? Bruce Larson wrote, “The kingdom of God is the kingdom of right relationships;” and I believe that this is what the Father wants from us. He expects us to live in loving relationship with Him and with each other (Mk. 12: 28-31).Therefore, with a focus on right relationships, a brief examination will be made regarding “Show us the Father’s Heart”, in terms of reconciliation with God; reconciliation with other Christians; and reconciliation with non-Christians, beginning with reconciliation with God.

Show us the Father’s heart: reconciliation with God. Show us God’s heart toward us. Isn’t that what we, Christ’s followers, really want to see, to know for certain?  Does God really want to be reconciled to us, and what does that mean? Reconciliation means, “To reestablish a close relationship between,” (Collins World Dictionary).  From the beginning, God has wanted to reestablish the close relationship that was broken when Adam and Eve capitulated to temptation in Eden. Even after their fall from grace, God desired to restore a close relationship with them and their descendents. This desire for reconciliation was emphasized by the apostle John when he noted, “…the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world,” (1 Jn 4:14).  Paul also delineated God’s desire to be in relationship with us when he wrote that, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” (Ro. 5:8). Many Scriptures indicate God’s desire for a restored relationship with us. For example, some note that we were enemies of God, but that He provided reconciliation through Jesus’ sacrificed life (Ro. 5:10, Col. 1:19-23). To reiterate, Jesus said that when people had seen Him, they had seen the Father, who sent Him. Jesus showed us the Father’s heart toward us, because He was the perfect image or reflection of God. Thus, Jesus’ compassion towards reflects the same care Father demonstrates towards us.  And this is the reassurance we, like the prodigal son, need: that God wants to be in close relationship with us; and even when we stumble or lose our way, He awaits with open arms for us to return to relationship with Him.  Thus, Christians have the model of Jesus’ sacrifice, which opened the way for our reconciliation with God, yet why do we find it so difficult to be reconciled with fellow-believers?

Show us the Father’s heart toward Christian unity: reconciliation with other Christians. Why is there so much discord among believers? Why do Christians sing songs with catchy melodies, such as “We are one in the Spirit”, or “We Will Break Dividing Walls” but then often behave more hurtfully to one another than non-Christians do? Yet Jesus declared that His followers will be known by their love for one another (Jn. 13:35). And David affirmed, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony,” (Ps. 133:1). Furthermore, any unresolved issues between Christians must be settled or resolved prior to approaching God (Mat. 5: 23-24). Yet, how many followers actually practice this directive? There is much dissension in the Church; and this is not just reflected in the many denominations, but it is also seen within local churches (e.g., ‘group clicks’, church division, gossip, and slander). What does the Church offer to the world that is different from that which is available in society? If the Church is reduced to a social club, then its mission has failed. Paul clearly spelled out our mission, noting that, “God who reconciled us to himself through Christ” [also] “gave us the ministry of reconciliation”, (2 Cor. 5:18). Yet, how can Christians be involved in the ministry of reconciliation with non-Christians if they fail to employ this ministry with one another within the Church? This is an area the Church needs to address, especially if we are to be effective in reaching out to non-believers.

Show us the Father’s heart for the lost: reconciliation with non-Christians. Are Christians neglecting to reach out to the lost and the hurting, and what are the reasons behind this failure? Have we ‘whom have been forgiven much’ forgotten that we are also ‘to love much’ (Lk. 7: 47)? Are we spending all our free time with those whom have already been reconciled to God? Have we forgotten that we were once in the position of needing restored relationship with Father? Yet, we know that, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life, “(Jn. 3:16).  And Scripture makes it clear that, “[God] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance,” (2 Pet. 3: 9b). Furthermore, Christians have a direct command from Jesus, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you,” (Mt. 28:20a). Since Christians’ lives are the only Bible that most of the world will read, we need to reach out with Jesus’ compassion and humility to meet the needs of a hurting world.

So we, Christ’s followers, are challenged to throw off our complacency and be certain that we are first reconciled to God. We need to maintain our close relationship with Him, and immediately confess any wrong that would impede that relationship (1 Jn. 1:9). We also need to renew our mission, our ministry of reconciliation with one another, and with non-Christians.  I am reminded of a Salvation Army chorus:

The world is needing us,
Christ is leading us;
 Comrades, let us be true.


His love constraining us,
Prayer sustaining us,
 Faith will carry us through.


His service calling us,
None appalling us, 
Deeds of valor we'll do;


For souls are needing us,
Christ is leading us;
Comrades, we will be true

The world needs us, and we have a direct commission from Christ, whom has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation. How have we overlooked that responsibility?

Note: All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, 1978.

-Elizabeth Hogan-Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer

Guardians of the Truth, Canada

Canada and Bermuda Territory