March 27, 2014
BECOMING FRIENDLY AGAIN!
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Riley Penna
Central Truth
Because of Christ, we can be reconciled to God. Once we are reconciled to Him, He entrusts us to share His offer of reconciliation to those around us.
Key Verse | 2 Corinthians 5:18–19
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 1 5:17 Or creature The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling 2 5:19 Or God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Dive Deeper | 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
One of my favorite words in the Bible is found in 2 Corinthians 5:18. It is the word reconciliation. Merriam-Webster.com defines it like this: "to cause two people or groups to become friendly again."
In the book of Genesis, Moses explains how mankind in the Garden of Eden basically told God that they did not need Him! They declared that they could do this "life" thing on their own. Just like Adam and Eve, our separation and "unfriendliness" with God is something we chose . . . not Him. In spite of man's rejection of God, Ephesians 2:4-5 explains that God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ. He expresses His kindness to us through Christ Jesus even though we have nothing to offer Him in this reconciliation process!
Remember "Mission Commander Swanbeck"? Those who have seen the movie "Mission Impossible" can't help but remember his famous line from the movie: "Good morning, Mr. Hunt. Your mission, should you chose to accept it . . . ." And he goes on to describe the details of the "special" mission. Of course, Hunt accepts, and you know the rest of the story.
I envision Christ handing me a parchment with 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 written on it and saying to me: "Good morning, Riley. Your mission, should you chose to accept it, involves: The ministry of reconciliation -- that God was reconciling the world to Himself not counting men's sins against them. And He has committed to you the giving of that message of reconciliation to others." My hope and prayer is that those of us who have received God's reconciliation will accept the mission, prepare for the mission, and tell others around us about how God wants them to be reconciled with Him and expects nothing from them in the process -- just their faith!
What a privilege it is for God to give us such an honorable assignment as "ambassadors" for Him (verse 20)! We are citizens of heaven, sent by its King to a foreign country (this world) to share the message that God made a way for us to "become friendly again." Reconciliation. What an awesome word!
Discussion Questions
1. What do you need to do to be reconciled (be on friendly terms) with God?
2. What are some other passages that explain how to be reconciled to God?
3. What steps can you take each day to fully "accept the mission" and share God's heart for those around you to be reconciled to Him?
4. Given God's heart for you to be reconciled to Him, what steps should you take to be reconciled to others/friends/family whom you may have harmed or been harmed by?