Saved By Death

“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” Romans 5:10 (NIV)

Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal—a time to draw nearer to God as we prepare our hearts for Easter. In Romans 5:10, Paul delivers a profound truth: through the death of Jesus, reconciliation between humanity and God was made possible. Even when we were estranged from God, God initiated the path toward restoration, setting the ultimate example of grace and love. This verse underscores the transformative power of Jesus' sacrifice—not just for our salvation but for the restoration of relationships.

Jesus, in His perfect love, didn’t allow division or bitterness to stand between us and God. He bridged the gap, paying the ultimate price, so we might be reconciled. It’s often easy to live with fractures in our relationships. In the heat of a difficult situation, we might react in ways that perpetuate conflict rather than working toward restoration. It might feel too hard to initiate the hard work of reconciliation, but we are reminded through Christ's actions that it is worth it. Our willingness to renew broken relationships, whether with family, coworkers, or fellow believers, mirrors the love and sacrifice Jesus showed us.

This message carries significant weight for our personal, professional, and congregational lives. If God extended reconciliation to us at such a great cost, how much more are we called to seek restoration in our own relationships?

Renewing Broken Relationships:

1. Personally: Consider a relationship in your personal life that has been marked by misunderstanding, hurt, or silence. Perhaps it’s a family member, a close friend, or even yourself. God calls us to take that first step toward healing—not because the other person deserves it, but because we have been reconciled to God. Let your actions reflect His love by extending an olive branch, even if it feels uncomfortable.

2. Professionally: In the workplace, fractured relationships can hinder collaboration and create unnecessary tension. As followers of Christ, we are ambassadors of peace, and our actions should mirror the selflessness of Jesus. This Lent, strive to mend strained professional interactions with grace and humility. Choose reconciliation over pride, and let your willingness to forgive be a testament to your faith.

3. Congregationally:  Within the body of Christ, unity is paramount. Disagreements and differences can disrupt harmony, but we are reminded in Romans 5:10 that reconciliation is central to our faith. Ask yourself: is there someone in your church community with whom you need to reconnect? Let your reactions reflect the spirit of Lent—one of humility and restoration. Seek healing in congregational relationships, fostering a space where God’s love and forgiveness can flourish.

Lent is not just a time to focus on personal penitence but also on the call to reflect Christ’s redemptive work in the world around us. Have you ever noticed how our actions—how we respond to the hurts and misunderstandings in our lives—can either perpetuate further division or create opportunities for healing? Our reactions, whether in personal conflict, professional miscommunication, or even within our church communities, are powerful tools.

In the face of fractured relationships, will we choose to respond as Christ did: with a willingness to lay down our rights for the sake of reconciliation?

Practical Steps to Renew Relationships:

Self-Examination: Begin by taking an honest look at your relationships. Is there anyone you have been avoiding, ignoring, or harboring bitterness toward? Lent is a perfect time to invite God into these spaces, seeking His help in healing and guiding you through the process of reconciliation.
Initiate Peace: Just as Christ initiated peace with us through His death, we are called to initiate peace in our relationships. Even when we are not at fault, the willingness to take the first step can open doors for healing and growth. Whether it’s apologizing, forgiving, or simply having a conversation, this is an active choice to love like Christ.
Listening and Understanding: Reconciliation begins with empathy. Take the time to listen to the other person’s perspective, and seek to understand rather than simply defend your own position. Allow space for the other person to express their hurt or frustration.
Commit to Growth: True reconciliation is not just about resolving a disagreement, but it’s about committing to move forward in mutual respect, love, and understanding. This requires patience, a willingness to grow, and the humility to admit when we are wrong.
Pray for Healing: Spend time in prayer, asking God to heal any broken relationships. Seek His guidance in knowing what steps to take and ask for the strength to do so. Remember, it is Christ’s power and grace that enables us to reconcile, not our own strength.

In this Lenten season, we are reminded that we have been saved by His death. Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate act of reconciliation, and through it, we are given the opportunity to restore broken relationships in our lives. May we respond to this gift by seeking to heal the divisions in our own hearts and communities, trusting that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us.

Prayer: Most Gracious and Merciful God, thank You for the gift of reconciliation through the death of Your Son. Teach us to root our actions and reactions in love, humility, and a willingness to repair fractured relationships. As we journey through Lent, may we embody Your grace in our personal lives, our workplaces, and our church communities. Move in us that we might take the first step, trusting in Your strength to guide us.  Help us to reflect that same love in our relationships. In places where there is brokenness, help us to pursue peace. Give us the courage to initiate reconciliation, the grace to forgive, and the humility to ask for forgiveness when needed. May our actions and reactions reflect the transforming power of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen and Ase`
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