Reconciliation

According to Paul, "We are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor 5:20). Our ministry as ambassadors, Paul says, is "the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:18) -- God reconciling the world to Himself (2 Cor 5:19).

How does that work? Well, first, what's the problem? Reconciliation is the process of restoring friendly relations. "Restoring" suggests that at one time there were friendly relations, then there were not, and now reconciliation is in order. Humans since the Fall have been at odds with God -- hostile to God (Rom 8:7) -- and something has to occur to restore relations. The problem is we have neither the inclination nor the ability to do it from our end, so God has to do it. So how did He do it?

We're aware that Christ died for our sins. They are paid in full. No punishment to come. But "without sin" is not sufficient. In order to be reconciled to God, we have to be not just "blameless," but "fully righteous." Washing away the dirt is not enough; we need to be fully good. So, "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor 5:21).

This truth is massive. It cannot be yawned at. In order to restore our relationship with God, He sent His Son to die so that our sins would be paid in full -- He made Him to be sin who knew no sin -- and then He made us into His righteousness. He didn't just make us without sin; He filled us up to perfection -- Christ's perfection. We can see better from this vantage point what he meant when he wrote, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Cor 5:17). In Christ the new has come ... starting with reconciliation -- a restored relationship with God -- and continuing through all sorts of new things. Transformed people (2 Cor 3:18).