Reconcilation

Commendation V-12

“Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?” (2 Corinthians 3:1)

To praise or to present as worthy of confidence.

Aware that some Corinthians had challenged his apostolic authority, Paul asks rhetorically whether he is commending himself again (2 Cor.3:1)

He answers with an emphatic “no,” for the local church is the apostle’s letter of recommendation, since the hearts of the membership as also Paul’s had been touched by God for all to see (v.2)

It seems that Paul is asking them “Do we have to prove ourselves to you again?”

Paul was apparently encountering opposition to the work that God had done in Corinth. We know that that was common in Paul’s ministry and he probably wasn’t surprised by it but he was surprised at the reaction of the people that he had worked so hard for.

Just because others have brought up a question does that change what you have seen and heard from us?

Mad and Zealous V13

To prove himself to them he was not ashamed to be called mad or to be seen as foolish if it would cause them to stay strong in their faith!

“And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.” (Acts 26:24)

“But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” (Acts 26:25)

So just as in verse 13 he was called “beside himself” or mad by Festus, but just as he is now telling the Corinthian’s he wasn’t made but sober. Sober because he knew the eternal ramifications of what he was teaching Festus and the folks there in Corinth.

So what is it that makes him so mad or sober in his words to them? (V14)

He was constrained, or bound to what it meant when he said that ti one died for all, then all were dead!

Paul was bound by know that without the death of one then all would die and be separated from the Father for all eternity!

That is enough to make you sober really quickly!

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” (Colossians 1:21)

“In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1:22)

Verses 15 and 16 point us to the heart of this teaching which is the decision that we have to make ourselves. No one else can do it for us!

This is the Ministry of Reconciliation.

Was Paul mad? Yes because he was carrying a burden on his heart for his people the Jews and for the Gentiles!

He understood that of all things in this world that we have to think about nothing else even comes close in the gravity of the the decision!

Are You Reconciled? V17-21

Eerdmans Bible Dictionary RECONCILIATION

RECONCILIATION. *The restoration of a harmonious relationship between two parties; in the New Testament the term refers most often to God’s restoration of his relationship with sinful humanity through Jesus Christ.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

When we come to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior the old man, ( that was dead) is made new, (made alive)!

The old things, the old you has past away, gone! Your old way of living doesn’t fit or satisfy you anymore.

He put in us a new heart!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

Our old ways of living was to fit into this world but this world is separated from God by sin.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

The renewing of our mind is the new creation in Christ that he speaks about in verse 17.

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” (Colossians 3:10)

So the old things are passed away, what are the new things that he is talking about?

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

...and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

Paul was doing his job which was to show the people of Corinth how to be reconciled to God by the sacrificial death of Jesus.

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Paul was preaching to them that they had to be reconciled to the Father by Jesus the Son. That was the message he had then and it is the same message that we have today.

So I will ask you again have you been reconciled to the Father?

The old things passed away and the new thing is for each of us to have the ministry of reconciliation that he spoke of in verse 18.

Our job once we have accepted Jesus’ sacrificial death for our sin is to tell others about him!

Why?

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)