October 30, 2023 – Monday
2 Corinthians 5:19-21 NKJV
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:19-21 NIV
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.
Comments
One more example of why Jesus came beyond what we read in verses John 3:16-17, 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Today, I have chosen 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 (NKJV), 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Looking at the last verse first we have, 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, which shows the most incredible exchange that ever occurred. Jesus gave us His righteousness in exchange for our sinfulness so He could pay the price for our sin. Think about that when you consider verses 18 and 19, 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. God the Father created this circumstance so that we would be reconciled to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. If we would but believe that Christ died for our sins on the cross, our sins would no longer be counted against us! And in this exchange, He has committed us to the word of reconciliation. In other words, we are to share the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Beyond that we have become ambassadors for Christ or as Paul put it, 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. Another version gives a note that pleading may be translated as begging or 20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were begging through us. We beg you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!”
Why such strong language, pleading, implore or begging, beg? It is because we are all near the edge of the sea of eternity, not knowing when or how we will die. And here we are given the opportunity to enter eternity, knowing we are going on an eternal journey and adventure with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit … instead of eternal separation from them in hell. That is why verse 20 ends with Be reconciled to God! And then in verse 21 we are reminded of the gospel once again (NET), 21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.
Bottom Line: None of us deserved this wondrous exchange, but God made it possible. Now it is us to us to act as His ambassadors after receiving this incredible gift.
Prayer: Almighty God, Thank You for saving me from hell as I near the sea of eternity. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Still writing and working for the Glory of God
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