Lesson 11 – 2 Corinthians Chapter 5:19-21
As we finish chapter 5 tonight, a key verse that stands out from last week is verse 17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
This speaks of a change that takes place in us once we come into God’s salvation.
J.C. Ryle once said, “Salvation without a lifestyle change is just an emotional moment.”
Paul tells us quite simply that if you are in Christ, you are a new creation. He’s not saying that over time you will become a new person, or that you can hope to be a new person, but that you are a new person.
Becoming a Christian isn’t about tweaking your habits, it’s about a complete inner transformation. The Holy Spirit regenerates our heart, giving us new desires, new affections, and a new identity. If a person hasn’t experienced these things, then perhaps they only had an emotional moment.
We left off last time understanding what it means to be reconciled to God, and to drill down into it, reconciliation is a step beyond forgiveness.
Col. 1:21:
“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.”
John MacArthur adds, “Thus, reconciliation is not something man does but what he receives; it is not what he accomplishes but what he embraces.”
1 John 2:2:
“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
John uses the word “propitiation,” which means the work that Jesus did on the cross appeased the Father, addressing our willful deviation from His perfect standard… our sins.
With this in mind, our reconciliation with God doesn’t happen just because we stop rejecting God, but when He decides to stop rejecting us. So, propitiation doesn’t mean God overlooks sin. It means the penalty for sin was fully paid.
Then our reconciliation is initiated by God…
Romans 5:10:
“While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.”
This means reconciliation isn’t something we initiate by ceasing our rebellion, it’s something God initiates by ceasing His righteous judgment against us, all because of Christ.
1 Peter 2:24:
“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness… by whose stripes you were healed.”
What can we expect once we are reconciled to God?
Romans 5:1 [we have peace with God]:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
John 1:12 [God sees us as His children]:
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:”
Romans 8:1 [a result of our reconciliation]:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Reconciliation isn’t just some kind of theological concept to which we adhere, it’s a life-altering reality for every believer.
Rather than being God’s enemy, we enter into a friendly relationship with Him. Jesus invites us into friendship with Him. In John 15:15, Jesus tells His disciples: “I no longer call you servants… I have called you friends.” This friendship is marked by intimacy, trust, and knowing He will never leave you.
We ended last week with Paul telling us that God “has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” If we break this down to the core of its meaning, it is very similar to the Great Commission that God expects us to fulfill.
Matthew 28:19-20:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”
By spreading the gospel, we are being used by God to further reconcile those who are lost into the kingdom of God.
Let’s pick up in verse 19…
2 Cor. 5:19:
“That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
Some translations start this verse with “that is” or “namely” and it’s Paul’s way of giving an explanation that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.
In Christ means God personally stepped into human history to restore the broken relationship that was caused by sin.
In Christ means that Jesus was the vessel through which God accomplished this restoration, that Jesus was the agent of reconciling mankind to Himself.
Everyone who is in Christ, whether they realize it or not, is an ambassador for Christ. (Vs.20)
Reconciling the world to Himself… is another phrase that people will take out of context to suit their own purposes in that they will use it to say that God has reconciled the whole world and everyone gets to go to heaven. There are other Scriptures that have been used this way as well…
John 1:29b:
“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
There are specific words being used like “world,” “all,” and “everyone;” these all have to do with referring to mankind in general.
John MacArthur, “Christ did not die for all men without exception, but for all men without distinction.”
Jesus’ death is worth much more than we can ever imagine because He is God’s eternal Son. His sacrifice is powerful enough to cover the sins of anyone God chooses to save, whether that’s many people or just a few. Because Jesus’ death has unlimited value, the invitation to be saved is open to everyone.
To those who have ears to hear… today is the day of salvation!
Rev. 22:17:
“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
Matthew 11:28:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Oh, that we could rest in the arms of Jesus, to find peace that surpasses all understanding, to have the safety that no storm can shake, and love that never lets go of us.
Not imputing their trespasses to them…
Psalm 103:11-12:
“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
Not counting our trespasses against us… reveals the means of our reconciliation, which is for the forgiveness of sins. Let’s be clear, God doesn’t ignore our sins, He forgives them, because Jesus paid the price.
Charles Spurgeon warns us, “You and your sins must separate, or you and your God will never come together.”
Chuck Colson was once known as President Nixon’s “hatchet man” during the Watergate scandal. He was deeply entrenched in political power and manipulation, and eventually served time in prison for obstruction of justice. It was in the depths of that fall, facing disgrace and incarceration, that Colson encountered Christ. A friend gave him a copy of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and the message of grace broke through. Colson surrendered his life to Jesus and experienced radical transformation.
After his release, he didn’t return to politics. Instead, he founded “Prison Fellowship,” a ministry that has reached thousands of inmates with the gospel. His life became a testimony of reconciliation: once an enemy of truth, now an ambassador of grace.
Colson’s story shows that no one is too far gone, and that reconciliation with God doesn’t just restore, it repurposes one’s life. From shame to service, his life became a beacon of hope.
2 Cor. 5:20:
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
Romans 5:1 reminds us: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The peace is available, the reconciliation is offered, but faith is the key that unlocks the door.
Although God is solely the divine reconciler, He is the One who begins and fulfills the work of drawing us back to Himself, but this restoration isn’t automatic, it calls for a response from us. Faith is the key that unlocks our part in the process.
Ambassadors… (pres-boo’-o) is an interesting word, in that it has deep history going back to ancient times. As in our day, being an Ambassador was an important and highly regarded position. The root word in the Greek is in the form of a verb, and can be translated as “old man.”
The word “ambassadors” fits perfectly. In ancient times, ambassadors were often wise, seasoned individuals chosen for their experience, often recognized by having grey hair. They carried messages and represented the authority of the one who sent them.
In the same way, believers are sent by God as messengers and representatives of His heavenly kingdom. Just as ambassadors live in lands that are not their own, so do Christians, living in this world while belonging to another.
Phil. 3:20:
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”
Even though heaven is the ultimate home for every believer, our time on earth is a sacred assignment from God, and we’re called to reflect Jesus as we journey through.
Psalm 39:12:
“For I am a stranger with you, a sojourner like all my fathers.”
Hebrews 11:13:
“They admitted that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
These two Scriptures refer to faithful believers who lived with the understanding that they were journeying toward their heavenly homeland. Knowing we have a short time on earth as God’s ambassadors, doesn’t it make sense to make the most of our time?
Psalm 90:12:
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Eph. 5:15-16 (NLT):
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
So yes, it makes all the sense in the world to make the most of our time, not out of fear, but out of faith; not to earn favor, but to reflect the grace we’ve received from God.
As though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
If we look closely, we can see that verse 20 could turn into a summery of Paul’s total ministry. At the end of the verse he says, be reconciled to God! That’s a huge statement.
Think of Paul as a Master Sergeant in a Marine recruiting station, and he’s looking for some faithful servants for God’s kingdom, he might say something like, “Listen up, warriors. This isn’t a call for comfort, it’s a call to combat. The Commander-in-Chief of heaven has issued orders: the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. We need soldiers who won’t flinch in the face of fire, who know that suffering for the gospel is an honor, not a burden.”
That might get someone’s attention! All who are reconciled fall into the rank in God’s army as His ambassadors. Paul’s appeal was not a perfunctory pronouncement, which is a statement or declaration made in a routine, superficial, or mechanical way, without much thought, feeling, or genuine engagement, but Paul makes an impassioned plea to all those who would follow Christ.
Maybe look at what Paul is doing as a type of heavenly pyramid scheme. Imagine if every believer told ten people about Jesus Christ, and they each told ten people, and so on… how high would the numbers be? In just 10 cycles, the outreach could theoretically exceed the entire global population. Just saying…
Being reconciled to God can change the world!
2 Cor. 5:21:
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
As we close out chapter 5, Paul ends with a “flagship” statement from the Holy Spirit.
The word “He” is a reference to God the Father. Our God from eternity past, the Great Lord Almighty who had no beginning… made His plans for mankind. Why? Because He’s not willing that any should perish.
Do you think God was caught off guard when Adam and Eve chose to disobey Him, trying to grasp what it might be like to be God, by doing the one thing that He had warned them not to? The Genesis account portrays God as deeply affected by what they had done. He seeks out Adam and Eve in the garden, asks them questions, and ultimately sets in motion a plan of redemption and reconciliation.
Through Adam and Eve’s disobedience sin and death had entered the world… and mankind has felt the sting ever since. From birth we are all guilty of sin.
Romans 3:10:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;”
Romans 3:23:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 6:23:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…
God in His love for mankind completed His plan of redemption and reconciliation by sending His one and only Son to take on the sins of the world. This act by God was not just a reaction to our human failure, but a purposeful, sacrificial, holy expression of His divine love and mercy for us.
Romans 5:8:
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
For all who put their trust in Jesus Christ to be redeemed and reconciled, they become the benefactor of God’s grace and mercy. Jesus was the innocent one who sacrificed Himself on our behalf.
Hebrews 4:15:
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Isaiah 53:5–6:
“But He was pierced for our transgressions… the punishment that brought us peace was on Him.”
Written centuries before Jesus was born, this prophecy reveals the sinless suffering Servant who would bear humanity’s sins.
1 Peter 1:18-21:
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
What makes Christianity unique is its focus on a loving God who reaches out to people, even when they’ve done wrong. In contrast, some other belief systems describe their gods as harsh or angry, demanding fear and extreme sacrifices to keep them satisfied, sometimes even including things as terrible as child sacrifice.
The hope Christians hold on to comes from the freeing truth that God isn’t distant or angry, but that He’s loving and kind by His nature, always reaching out to save.
Psalm 86:15:
“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.”
This is all revealed in the person of Jesus Christ!
Only someone who had never sinned could take on the punishment for everyone else’s sins. That person had to be human, because only a human could die in place of other humans, but he also had to be God, because only God is completely without sin. That leaves just one person who fits this profile: Jesus Christ, both fully God and fully man.
Gal. 4:4-5:
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
God is never late, everything He does is right on time. The same holds true when Jesus came to this earth… He came at the perfect time to save humanity, and He will also return for His bride at the perfect time.
To be sin…
The Bible shows us that Jesus was totally qualified to be the perfect sacrifice, it calls Him the pure and spotless Lamb, meaning He was completely without sin. Now our verse says, to be sin for us, this demands a deeper, and careful understanding on our part.
First and foremost, this does not mean that Jesus became a sinner, there’s far too many Scriptures that rule that possibility out.
Isaiah 53:4-6:
“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Jesus wasn’t made a sinner nor was He punished for any sin of His… because He never sinned.
1 Peter 2:21-22:
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth;”
1 John 3:5:
“And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.”
So, what did happen to Jesus? The Father treated Him as if He were a sinner. God is the great “account keeper,” and all the sins humanity would ever commit were charged to Jesus’ account.
Again, let’s qualify this by saying Jesus took on all sins, but this doesn’t mean those who don’t belong to Him have had their sins forgiven.
Every sin was charged to Jesus as if He did commit them, and He paid the penalty for them when He died on the cross. Jesus felt the full wrath of God…
Mat 27:46:
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Bible commentary writes, “It is crucial, therefore, to understand that the only sense in which Jesus was made sin was by imputation. He was personally pure, yet officially culpable, personally holy, yet forensically guilty. But in dying on the cross Christ did not become evil like we are, nor do redeemed sinners become inherently holy as He is. God credits believers’ sin to Christ’s account, and His righteousness to theirs.”
Jesus did this for us, or on our behalf…
Romans 10:9-10:
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Jesus died for the hearts and souls who would believe in Him. The fact that God raised Jesus from the dead shows He accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for His people… it’s the ultimate confirmation that the price for sin was fully paid.
Philippians 2:8–9:
“He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place…”
God’s exaltation of Jesus after His death affirms the acceptance of His sacrifice.
That we might become the righteousness of God in Him…
Righteousness matters because it connects believers to God. The very righteousness God requires before He can accept the sinner is the very righteousness He provides! The believers’ righteousness is deeply important to God because it reflects His own character and fulfills His purpose for mankind.
Romans 4:3-8 (NLT):
“For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned, but people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”
I’ll close with this…
When believers live righteously, they reflect God’s image and character. Righteousness is key to being in right standing with God. Pursuing righteousness helps believers grow in holiness and maturity. It has an impact on the world… righteous living promotes justice, compassion, and integrity within society.
God hasn’t declared war on the world just yet, because when Jesus went to the cross on our behalf, He declared peace. There is a time coming when it will be too late, because God’s judgment is coming. In the meantime, satan is doing all he can to tear everything apart and steal as many souls as he can, but God is in the business of reconciliation, and He’s chosen us to get His message out. We are the righteous ones through Christ’s victory on the cross. This is the time to stand strong and not act like sheep, even though we are sheep. Jesus has a higher calling for each one of us… let’s not disappoint Him.