The ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2, For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Paul urges us to see others in a different way than we would naturally. He has the power to transform us, literally we are a “new creation” in Him. Do we see ourselves as Paul did, as ambassadors of reconciliation? Jesus Christ has so much to offer in our needy world. Are we willing to be see others with His eyes, to see them receive and recognize His reconciliation that has already been accomplished through the cross? Perhaps now is the favorable time for someone we know!

Give us boldness to tell others of Your amazing grace, how You have become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God!

ESV Lectionary