I have been pondering 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. There is a lot in these three verses. Apart from being a new creation, there is a new job description. Through Christ God has entrusted me to be a minister of reconciliation. Let’s break these down into three parts.
Part One: New Creation
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” ESV
Here, we have a therefore so I looked at verses 11-16 to understand what proceeds the, therefore. I conclude that it is for the love of Christ that controls me that I am a new creation and I am no longer the old me. He has made me new. Not anything that I have done.
Part Two: God Made This Happen
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;” ESV
Alleluia! God made this happen and I had nothing to do with it. God reconciled me to Himself through Christ. But, it comes with a new job assignment. He has given me the ministry of reconciliation. That’s right! I am to tell others about how God has reconciled me to Himself and that He can do the same for them.
Part Three: Message 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.” ESV
The message is that God has reconciled the world through Christ to Himself. Christ paid the price for the sins of the world, therefore, God no longer counts their sins against them. As recipients of His grace, we have been entrusted with this message.
So the question is “How are we at getting the message of reconciliation out to the world?”
I leave you with a link to a favorite song. New Lease on Life.
Related link: Heavenly Adoption VS. Earthly Adoption
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4 Comments
Great post! We’ve been made new to renew others!
You are so right! I like the way you put it.Thank you.
Please email me info, I’m looking for people to join me in proving our faith, providing tangible blessings to all, so that others will come to our Father.
I feel I’m being called to plant a “victory Garden”, and share its supply with others in the Kingdom, thus empowering others who have made the decision to repent from their old lives and enjoy the abundance that is available through Christ because we’ve turned to God and accepted His invitation to become His children.
I believe Him when He says all that is needed for Him to renew the face of the earth is his peoples’ willingness to allow Him to renew our minds. Let me not be found lacking, Father!
I will do my best to try to contact you. Thank you.
Patricia