In today’s passage Paul once again seems to be trying to persuade the Corinthians to be true to the gospel they heard from Paul and to which they had responded. These same Corinthians, having been witness to Paul’s life and activities, should not have needed persuading, Furthermore, however, Paul is motivated by God’s love. Here was love so great, a love demonstrated by giving His only Son! Paul says God’s love controlled him and that he, and we, should no longer live for ourselves but for Jesus. This is particularly so since Jesus is the one and only true savior. He willingly died a death sufficient to cover the the sins of those that come to Him. So great a savior, so great a salvation calls to you; why will you not come to Him today and be saved? Eternity hangs in the balance of that decision.
The consequences of Paul’s ministry of reconciliation, and the ministry to which all believers are called, are three fold. First, believers have been given a new perspective. We need no longer evaluate people according to the flesh. What matters now is a person’s relationship to Jesus Christ rather than their standing in the world or world system. Second, believers are a new creation in Christ (v. 17). Third, as previously mentioned, believers have been given a new job, a ministry of reconciliation. We are ambassadors representing another kingdom, an eternal kingdom. We speak urgently to others to be similarly reconciled to God. Verse 21, “For our sakes he (God the Father) made him (Jesus the Son) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” It is the Great Exchange-our sins charged to Him, His righteousness imputed to us-reconciliation |
