Bible Reading – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 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. God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Devotion
This Gospel that is mentioned throughout the New Testament is referred to here as “the message of reconciliation.” To reconcile means “to make right.” In this context, it is referring to the process God uses to justify the sinner. Because of Jesus’ sacrificial death, we can be reconciled to God. This reconciliation has to do with God and His creation. God provides a way of reconciliation for every sinner. He has entrusted the church with this message of reconciliation. This text implies privilege and responsibility. As Christ’s ambassadors we are privileged to carry this message of hope into the world. An ambassador speaks on behalf of a foreign leader. This also communicates responsibility. As an ambassador we are charged with accurately communicating the message of our leader.
It is also stated that He has given us “the ministry of reconciliation.” Our mission is clear. We are to take this message of Good News and proclaim it for all the world to hear. When we do this, God begins to work in people’s hearts to reconcile them to Himself. God uses us, Christ’s ambassadors, to bring people into a right relationship with Himself. Talk about a life mission statement! God uses imperfect sinners saved by the grace of God to proclaim a message of hope to the whole world so that wayward sinners might be made right with God! This is what motivates me to get up every day. Today could be the day that someone hears the Good News, repents, and trusts in the person and work of Christ. For someone, today is the day they might become a new creation in Christ!
The Big Question
Are you a new creation in Christ? What does this mean? What does it mean to be Christ’s ambassador? Are you committed to the message and ministry of reconciliation? Who are you praying for salvation? What is your reason for living?
Spend some time in prayer meditating on what God revealed to you today.