Pursuing the Gift of ProphecySample

Day 4 - Condemnation vs Reconciliation

In the Old Testament, we see the gift of prophecy modeled the most. This fact can confuse us if we don’t understand the difference between the ministry of condemnation, as it’s called in 2 Corinthians 3:9, and the ministry of reconciliation, as it’s called in 2 Corinthians 5:18.

If we don’t clearly understand Christ’s finished work on the cross and the ministry of reconciliation that we have been called to, we can default to using the gift of prophecy to condemn people when the Holy Spirit desires we use it to reconcile people to God.

2 Corinthians 5:18 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. (NKJV)

We are now ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). He has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation, which is that we do not count people’s sins against them. We interact with the world this way because "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8-NIV)

God did not call us to condone people’s sins, but He did instruct us to love people into His Kingdom. As representatives of His Kingdom in His New Covenant, it’s love that covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Jesus came to save the world, not condemn the world (John 3:16-17).

The prophetic lens through which we are instructed to see people on this side of the cross is through a lens of grace and reconciliation. The ministry of condemnation was the ministry of the old covenant, and the ministry of reconciliation is the ministry of the new covenant in Christ. We have the great privilege of prophesying life and reconciling people into a relationship with a loving Father.

Prayer

God, I ask that you would allow me to see people through your work on the cross. I ask that You grant me the wisdom and grace to see people’s value and destiny in You; let my words launch them into a place of intimacy and destiny with You.