2 Corinthians 5:16-21 – Reconciliation: Peace With God
Reconciliation means peace with God. God describes mankind as being His enemies because of sin. God describes mankind as being rebels and fighting against Him. In Christ, says Paul, we have reconciliation. It’s God that is at work reconciling us. God is the one whose justice must be served. It’s God’s wrath that must be satisfied. And so too, it’s God’s work that turns us away from our sin and rebellion. God is the one who reconciles us to Himself.
But there’s more to reconciliation than just the absence of something. There’s no more war. There’s no more punishment. We’re pardoned in Jesus Christ. But there’s also a restored relationship. Think of the parable of the prodigal son. The father loved the prodigal son and restored him, not as a servant, but as a son. God’s justice is satisfied, and we are adopted into the family of God through Jesus Christ. We who have been at war with Him, Jesus claims, and in Christ we are welcomed back into His family. He adopts us so that we enjoy all of the benefits of being joint heirs with Jesus Christ. That’s the type of peace that we have with God. We have a restored relationship.
Not only are you pardoned and given peace, but one of the incredible and joyous ways in which God demonstrates your forgiveness is that He gives you responsibility. He considers you to be trustworthy to have the ministry of reconciliation to the world around you. You are Christ’s ambassadors. You act in Christ’s behalf. He has given you power and authority to take on this task, and He has given you His authoritative Word to give you guidance and instruction. You have been made messengers and stewards of the good news, a light to the world. Paul says it is as if God were making His appeal through us.
Paul was writing to the church in Corinth, a body of believers. And yet he implores them to be right in their relationship with God. If you are conscious of sin in your life, be reconciled to God. Christ has cleansed you once for all through His death and resurrection, but we continue to struggle against sin. Do not give up that struggle, but continue daily to die to yourself and to live for Christ so that you might become the righteousness of God.
Question
- What is our responsibility with reconciliation?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.