2 Corinthians 5:16-21

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.

*** 

Paul said they were not looking at anyone according to the flesh, according to worldly accomplishments or actions, but instead according to their new nature in Christ. Even the Lord, whom the apostles and others had known in the flesh when He walked on earth, did not look at them in that way any longer. Instead, they looked to who He is now—the resurrected Christ.

Anyone who is in Christ is a new creature. This means "new" in the sense of a new species, not just recent or fresh. God has done a new thing by enabling us to be forgiven of sin, receive the Lord and a new heart, along with His indwelling Spirit, to help us overcome in all things. The old nature, old man, and sinful tendencies have passed away; the new has come.

Paul then explained the apostle’s ministry which they had received from God. Not only did He reconcile them to Himself (as He does with all who believe) but He had given them the ministry of reconciliation. This reconciliation occurred because God laid aside His enmity against man (which was there because of sin) so man could hear this good news and lay aside his enmity against God. God and man reconciled and reunited. 

It’s good news that God initiated this and has chosen not to count our trespasses against us. He accepts Christ’s sacrifice as payment in full for our sin. Paul & Co. had been commissioned with spreading this word and he appealed to them to be reconciled to God. The way had been made. The word had been sent. He begged them to respond. Let this work of reconciliation work in you to the fullest extent, and spread this word of reconciliation to others.

God was in Christ when He was here on the earth reconciling the world to Himself. The plan centered on Jesus—who committed no sin at all—becoming sin itself so it could be conquered, carried off into hell, and defeated. Then God raised Him from the dead victoriously so we could become the righteousness of God in Him, through faith in Him. He did it for us.

 

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