November 20, 2005

THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION

2 Corinthians 5:18–6:3

 

   "All things had become new" in God's new creation, and all these new things were of "the God Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us (Paul and company) the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18-19).

   The Lord's earthly ministry was limited to and focused upon Israel . Moses' Law was still busy "imputing Israel 's trespasses," and the Lord gave no relief. He repeatedly quoted what God had said to Israel through Moses and brought it to a higher plane, "but I say unto you...!" Moses Law forbade murder, but the Lord indicted even one with hatred! "Imputing their trespasses" was still in full force!

   But Calvary changed everything. There, "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself," not just Israel . Further, based on His work of the cross, the Lord was not imputing sins for which He had suffered. He was now pardoning sins and imputing righteousness to every one who simply believed in Him. Guilty sinners were to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and their faith would be reckoned (imputed) for righteousness! They would be reconciled to God.

   Paul's apostleship now included the work of an ambassador. He would represent the majesty of heaven in a hostile world. To the lost, his beseeching plea was, "Be ye reconciled to God!" There was no enmity on God's part. He had received Christ's work on the cross and now called upon men to drop their enmity and "receive this reconciliation. Christ was not here. He was enthroned in heaven. He had sent Paul in His place as ambassador and this was His plea.

   To the saint the ambassador was to beseech "that you receive not the grace of God in vain." They had received the reconciliation but what had they done with it? Paul quoted Isaiah's message to Israel , "I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you" (Isa. 49:8). Paul insisted that right then was the accepted time for them to get busy. It was God's day of salvation for these saints, that their faith would be perfected by fruitful response.

 

Ivan L. Burgener