“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation… God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (KJV, 2 Cor. 5:18-19).
“And all things are of God”
The ministry of reconciliation begins with God. The context of our passage consists mainly of the new creation theme. The new creation theme is a staple of the New Testament, and we must discuss it again before we can move on.
In 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Paul teaches us several truths concerning the new creation concept. First, Christ died for all. Second, since Christ died for all, all have died. Here we see that Paul was referring to the believer since it is the believer who has died in Christ. Third, Christ died so that the believer would not live for himself, but instead, he would live for Christ. Fourth, Christ did not only die for the believer, but He also rose for the believer. The implication here is since the believer has died with Christ, the believer has also been raised with Christ. Fifth, the Christian is not to be regarded according to the flesh since the Christian has died in Christ. Finally, since the believer has died with Christ and has been raised with Christ, it is right and proper to conclude that the believer is a new creation.
This brings us to 2 Corinthians 5:18 and our above portion of Scripture. Paul is saying that everything in the new birth was God’s doing. The Christian must also see man’s response to the Gospel message as the work of Christ. Jesus is the author and finisher of the believer’s faith. This means that even faith is a precious gift from Jesus and that a person will look to Jesus because Jesus looked to him first.
“who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ”
Here we see that the believer is reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. It is common to think that man must do the reconciling. Even if someone said they would not believe such a thing, their thoughts would show something different.
While it is important to be concerned about sin, there is a common tendency to give sin too much power. Man often believes that he must somehow get back in God’s good graces if he sins. As a result, man often finds himself discouraged at the slightest fall. This type of thinking is not Gospel-centered.
Christ came to die for sinners and has reconciled the believer to God by His blood. Paul tells us in Romans 5 that since the believer has been justified by faith, he has peace with God. Reconciliation speaks of peace between the believer and God. Paul tells us that reconciliation comes by way of justification. Justification can be traced back to the work of Christ but let us stop here.
Justification is a one-time act in which God declares a sinner not guilty. Justification does not change a sinner’s behavior per se. Justification means that a sinner has been deemed not guilty by God. Justification is not a process; it happens at a point in time. Therefore, the believer is reconciled to God at a point in time, and the believer should not view reconciliation as a process.
“and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation”
God has reconciled the believer to Himself and has given the believer a ministry of reconciliation. The Christian must be keenly aware that he has been given the ministry of reconciliation.
It is common for someone to look at the spiritual gifts and note that one of them is the gift of evangelism. He may then go on to say, “I do not have the gift of evangelism,” and conclude that someone else should share the Gospel.
While it is true that some will have the gift of evangelism, this does not mean that there are a select few who are called to share the Gospel. At the same time, there is a gift of mercy, but God still calls everyone to be merciful. Likewise, while there is a gift of teaching, God has still called everyone to be able to talk about his faith in Christ. Therefore, some will excel in their ability to evangelize and share the Gospel while, at the same time, God has called everyone to share the Gospel.
Timothy did not have the gift of evangelism, which is why Paul said, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist…” (2 Tim. 4:5). Here we see Timothy was to do the work of an evangelist. The same is true for the Christian; he must do the work of an evangelist even if He has not been gifted in this way. The Gospel will not go forth apart from man heeding his calling.
God desires that sinners would come to know Him. The most extraordinary place to see this is in the cross of Jesus Christ. Getting saved is not the end of the road; it is only the beginning. God calls the Christian to participate in His work and embrace the ministry of reconciliation.
“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself”
Here we see the means, the funnel, the path, and the like. The grace of God that is seen in this ministry of comes by way of Jesus Christ. Paul tells us that God was “in Christ.” This means that God worked through Christ to accomplish His plan.
God loved the world, so He gave His Son. The Plan of redemption was in the heart of the Father before the ages began. Salvation can be seen as from the Father, through Son, and by the Spirit. God the Father had the plan (from the Father). Jesus came down to do the will of the Father (through the Son). The Spirit came to apply salvation (by the Spirit).
“not imputing their trespasses unto them”
Here we see one of God’s primary intents in this ministry. The reason that reconciliation needs to take place is because of sin. Before Adam and Eve sinned, they were at peace with God. However, when they sinned, God banished them from His presence.
Romans 1-3 tells us of the universal nature of sin before it tells us of reconciliation. Why? Because man must understand that sin has made a separation between him and God. The iniquities of man have caused God to hide His face. As a result, man cannot persist in His unregenerate state and be on good terms with God.
Therefore, God has made a way for man’s sin not to be counted against him. The blessedness of forgiveness cannot be overstated. The Christian will not have His sin counted against him when he goes and stands before God. This is because God has made a way in Christ for the Son to pay for man’s sin in full.
“and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation”
Finally, we see here a repeated statement. When an author repeats himself in the Word of God, there is a need for the reader to be attentive. Do not lose sight of the fact that the Christian has been given a ministry. Get to know Jesus as He has been revealed in His Gospel. Come to understand why Jesus died for the believer. Come to learn how sin affects God and the ramifications of the fall of man in the Garden.
God has entrusted the believer with a ministry. The believer has entered God’s kingdom and been commissioned by His King. Therefore, it is time to take the marching orders seriously.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the Gospel message. Please show me how to live in light of Your Gospel. I thank You for sending Christ to die for my sin. I see that I needed to be reconciled to You and that I could not do it on my own. Nevertheless, You have made a way for me to be on good terms with You, and for that, I am thankful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.