Tham Dashu sensed something was missing in his life. So he started going to churchthe same church his daughter attended. But they never went together. In earlier days, he had offended her, which drove a wedge between them. So, Tham would slip in when the singing started and leave promptly after the service ended.
Church members shared the gospel story with him, but Tham always politely rejected their invitation to put his faith in Jesus. Still, he kept coming to church.
One day Tham fell gravely ill. His daughter plucked up the courage and wrote him a letter. She shared how Christ had changed her life, and she sought reconciliation with her dad. That night, Tham put his faith in Jesus and the family was reconciled. A few days later, Tham died and entered into the presence of Jesusat peace with God and his loved ones.
The apostle Paul wrote that we are to try to persuade others about the truth of Gods love and forgiveness (2 Cor. 5:11). He said that it is Christs love [that] compels us to carry out His work of reconciliation (v. 14).
Our willingness to forgive may help others realize that God desires to reconcile us to Himself (v. 19). Would you lean on Gods strength to show them His love today?
INSIGHT
The ministry of reconciliation Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 5:18 is the story of the gospel. We were alienated from God, but in His mercy and grace He reached out to us. In sending Jesus, the Father extended the greatest offer of peace in human historythe Prince of Peace Himself.
For more on reconciliation, consider What Do You Do with a Broken Relationship? at discoveryseries.org/q0703.