If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old things have passed away. Look, new things have come into being (2 Cor. 5:17)!
A Reflection on 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. Everything old has passed away. Look, new things have come into being! All this is from God. He reconciled us to himself through Christ. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself. He was not counting their trespasses against them. God entrusted the message of reconciliation to us.
In the sacred text of 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, the apostle Paul shares a profound message. It is life-changing and focuses on the ministry of reconciliation. These verses encapsulate the essence of Christian redemption. They bestow upon believers the mission to be ambassadors of reconciliation in a fractured world.
New Creation in Christ
The passage starts with proclaiming a new identity. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This profound statement signifies the total transformation that occurs when one embraces faith in Christ. The old self, marred by sin and separation from God, is gone. It is replaced by a new creation that embodies the renewed spirit and life found in Jesus.
The Gift of Reconciliation
Paul continues, “All this is from God.” God reconciled us to himself through Christ. God gave us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). This verse highlights the divine initiative in the process of reconciliation. It is God who, through the sacrificial love of Christ, bridges the chasm caused by human sin. Through this act, believers are recipients of reconciliation. They are also entrusted with the ministry of bringing others into this restored relationship with God.
Ambassadors of Reconciliation
The final verse in this triad is “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ.” He was not counting people’s sins against them. “And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19), underscores the ongoing mission of believers. As ambassadors of Christ, Christians are called to embody the message of reconciliation. They must proclaim it. They should extend God’s grace and forgiveness to all.
The Practical Implications of Reconciliation
- Forgiveness and Healing: Embracing the ministry of reconciliation involves forgiving others as God has forgiven us. This action fosters healing and restoration in relationships.
- Unity and Peace: Believers are to be agents of unity, promoting peace and understanding within their communities and beyond.
- Witness and Evangelism: The message of reconciliation is to be shared through words and actions. It invites others to experience the life-changing power of God’s grace.
Conclusion
The ministry of reconciliation, as articulated in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, is a cornerstone of Christian faith and practice. It is a divine calling to live out the life-changing power of Christ’s love, bridging divides and restoring relationships. As new creations in Christ, believers are empowered to be ambassadors of this ministry. They carry forth the message of God’s boundless grace and forgiveness to a world in need of healing and unity.
May the love of God shine through us, bringing hope, healing, and transformation to those around us. Amen.
Minister A. Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 