Ministry of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Reconciliation or reconciled are terms that are mentioned 5 times in this text we are reading today

Therefore, it is something that we should sit up and recognize

Now we know that to reconcile with someone, it is a way of saying we make up with them.

usually one or both says sorry

one or both forgives

and now you can be friends again

The best definition of reconciliation I’ve seen is “restoring a state of mutual harmony”

this means it is not simply an emotional or feelings type of thing

though emotion and feelings are usually involved

instead, it is a fundamental change in a relationship.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:21-24

Matthew 5:21–24 NIV

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

So we see the importance that Jesus puts on reconciliation

If our relationship between individuals and ourselves, and our relationship between God and ourselves are fractured by sin, then we need to take steps of restoration!

This is able to be accomplished because of the actions of Christ on the cross.

His death and resurrection are a demonstration of Him reconciling the world to himself.

but not the responsibility is for believers to proclaim the significance of this event.

Lets look at verse 11

The New International Version Chapter 5

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Knowing that he would appear before God in judgment, he took the Lord very seriously

Therefore he earnestly sought to persuade people to believe in Jesus and submit their lives to Him.

Is Paul concerned in verse 12 with the opinions of the Corinthians about himself?

No, his concern is the reputation of his message

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (5:11–12)

He needed to be regarded as a servant of Christ so that the message he shares would be understood as the message of God

So He is assuring them and us, that no matter what Paul has been accused of, his actions were for God’s glory and for the edification of those he presents this message.

As Paul and his companions, we should all be compelled to share Christ because of Christ’s love

He died for us, He raised again for us because of that love for us.

therefore we should love others enough to share His message with them.

vs. 16

The New International Version Chapter 5

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

If we are truly in Christ, then we are a new creation

we are not the old person we once were, but new

This is why we call it born again.

God has brought upon us a spiritual transformation inside of us and that is our identity

Why are we able to have this newness?

because God reconciled us to Him through Christ

it is through His actions that we have that opportunity

and when we are reconciled to God, we are given the ministry of reconciliation.

What does that mean?

every follower of Christ has a mission

the same mission

To tell others of the Gospel or the Good news of Jesus Christ

It’s the same mission, but we are given different gifts to do it in different ways at times.

This makes us ambassadors for Christ

What is an ambassador?

it is an officially designated representative who is authorized to speak on the behalf of a person or group!

If we are designated representatives authorized to speak on the behalf of Jesus Christ, we best be ready to do so with His words, with His message and with the understanding of His truth.

1 Timothy 2:3–4 NIV

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

God wants all people to hear and understand the Gospel

and we are the ones He sends to share it!

in verse 21 we see that The one that knew no sin, became sin for us.

This is the part that is preached everywhere, but let’s look at the forgotten part

so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We are to place our faith in Him, and His righteousness is imputed to us.

which means that if we are receiving His righteousness, we are to live that very righteousness!