(Holy) Reconciled

2 Corinthians 5:16–21 NASB95

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

(tell of the pastor who was given a letter of all his past sins)

2 Corinthians 5:16 NASB95

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

We are not who we were before Jesus saved us!

The Devil is the great accuser, stop listening to him.

Paul here is expressing that he no longer evaluates people according to worldly standards or outward opinions

(each of us are a few bad choices away from the outcast)

Paul is also directing the reader to the fact that we no longer see God from a fallible human assessment…

A God just waiting to smite us, but a God who loves us and wants us.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB95

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

We not only have a new name we have a new nature

We now have a filter via the Holy Spirit

A Christian should not be one saying “I don’t have a filter, or thats just who I am…”

If you are a new creature than that is who you were

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 NASB95

18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Reconciled: katallassō is both a past-tense and pre-tense.

Christ finished the work on the cross, but we are also constantly going through this sanctification to Christ.

The work of Christ in us is not something we can initiate ourselves. The Holy Spirit starts the work and we either reject or accept it.

If one writes a check to clear all of your debt and gives it to you, in order to get the forgiveness one must take it to the bank and cash it.

Until it is apply (cashed) the forgiving properties are not yours

Donald Stamps: (Fire Bible {Ch 5}) Reconciliation is one part of Christ’s work of redemption (i.e., spiritual salvation, restoration and renewal). To be reconciled to God means to be restored to a right relationship with him. (1) The sin and rebellion of the human race have resulted in hostility toward God and separation from him This rebellion brings God’s wrath—his justified anger—and judgment. Our sin is so completely opposed to God’s perfect character that it required the most extreme penalty: death and eternal separation from God.

Christ paid that price for us, He wrote the check

Until we accept the gift of salvation we are not in good standing with God-In fact we are at complete war and odds with Him by nature.

Each Christian has the job of telling others of the reconciliation of Jesus.

We’re quick to tell others about the deals at our fav store… but we tend to be slow and scared to tell others about the life changing, life giving power of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:20 NASB95

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

An ambassador is one who goes to a foreign kingdom and represents their nation and the will of their leaders.

They speak on behalf of what their leadership prescribes and in a manner that they prescribe-not of their own will.

We are all called to be ambassadors in this world.

Before we were of this world and citizens of it.

But when we got save we are made new, we have new citizenship and are now of a new kingdom.

Our actions and speech should not be based on our own will but that of God’s.

(Asked about my thoughts on their relationship… it dosn’t matter what I think, but what the Word of God says.)

2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB95

21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Keep in mind the Bible never says Jesus became a sinner… He took on all of our sin to take our place.

He remained as Holy as ever, yet was treated as though he had commited ever human’s sin ever commited.

The wrath of God was exhausted on Him so that the law could be fulfilled…

Jesus wrote the check… His righteousness was credited to our account

Take Home

Are you a new creature?

Do you live like it?

What areas of life can you apply Jesus’ account

If you don’t know Jesus let today be the day…