September 15, 2023

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (HCSB)
The Ministry of Reconciliation
16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone in a purely human way. Even if we have known Christ in a purely human way, yet now we no longer know Him in this way. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

BJ Stahlin
There is evil, injustice, suffering, and death in this world. Paul was well aware of it then, and it continues today, on a grander scale as we continue to devise ways to rebel against God and tear one another down. He will not stand for it and will deal with it. The darkness will come to an end. These verses, along with the other verses we’ve read this week, remind us that there is forgiveness through the work of His Son. Those who believe will not perish but enjoy eternal life. We are no longer condemned. God was reconciling the world to Himself. Allow Him to continue to complete the work He has started in you and “be reconciled to God.”