RECONCILED
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NKJV
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.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
From early on in my Christian life I was encouraged to read my Bible. And not only to read my Bible but mark in it. So my Bibles have verses underlined and highlighted and notes made out in the margins. Don't ever be concerned about marking in your Bible. The words are inspired and holy, but the pages are paper and ink. You are not desecrating God's Word.
On the contrary, you will be able to better track verses that the Holy Spirit has shown you. And if you make notes, you have an even better track record of what He impressed on your heart. But I digress. The fifth chapter of 2 Corinthians is one of the most highlighted and underlined chapters in my Bible. And for good reason.
This fifth chapter contains some of my most quoted and referenced verses. We walk by faith, not by sight. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. We have been made the righteousness of God in Christ. These are foundational truths. Our verses for today also provide a strong foundation for our new life in Christ.
To reconcile means to reestablish a close relationship. Verse 18 states that God has reestablished a close relationship between Himself and us through Jesus Christ. This is the reason Jesus came. Not to establish a new religion but to reestablish the relationship between God and mankind that was lost when Adam and Eve sinned. God was in Christ, not to condemn the world but to bring the world to Himself through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. If anyone could have condemned the world, it could have been Jesus. Many people know John 3:16, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. The evangelical world knows this verse as a keynote Scripture. We also need to highlight what Jesus said in John 3:17, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." Going back to our verses for today, God did not send Jesus to reckon our sins against us but to pay the price for our sins that we might be reunited with God. That's reconciliation.
Now, we have been given the word of reconciliation. Now, we are ambassadors for Christ. Our message to the world is not what horrible hell-bound sinners they are. Our message is God has made a clear path to Himself. God does not want mankind to be separated from Him but has made the way for everyone to be united with Christ and part of God's family. We are the ones who get to carry that message. We are not the authors of reconciliation, but we relay the message on Christ's behalf.
APPLICATION
Growing up in an evangelical church, I recall hearing more regarding being an ambassador for Christ. I was part of a young boys' movement called Royal Ambassadors. It was similar to a Christian Boy Scouts program, and it was a good program with a good name.
The truth is that we are all called to be ambassadors for Christ. This calling is not limited to preachers. We represent Christ in whatever arena we find ourselves in: home, work, neighborhood, social settings, wherever we have been given a place. And our message as ambassadors is not our own. We have a message, a word of reconciliation. That's a good news message that anyone can have a relationship with God. It's already available; we just must tell them.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see and be an ambassador for You. It's a high calling with a great purpose and message.