II Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
In verse 18 we are further reminded that salvation is of God. All things are of God. He reconciles the repentant sinner through the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. If Jesus Christ had not gone to the cross and shed His blood there, there would be no salvation for anyone.
Further to that, the apostle Paul and his companions were given the ministry of reconciliation. The same applies to all born again Christians. The world looks at true saints as the enemy. However, true saints are the ones who tell the truth and seek to help people see the importance of listening to the Word of God and to the Holy Spirit as He is convincing them of sin and of righteousness, and of judgment.
The reason people get so angry at the few who are speaking truth, is because they are under conviction and they do not want to submit to God. It is God that is the Saviour, not man. It is God that has set the terms of salvation, not man. Many men and women have tried to tamper with God’s terms. They will answer to God for their wickedness. It is foolish to hide behind a false teacher, rather than submit to the Truth.
In verse 19 we are again reminded that God was working in Christ, Who is the eternal Son of God, to reconcile the world unto Himself. Jesus Christ became a man and as the sinless Son of God/Son of Man, He went to the cross, and shed His sinless blood to make it possible for sinners to be saved.
When a person is saved, their sins are removed. Their sins are no longer charged to them. The thief on the cross was forgiven even though he was a thief and a murderer. Paul had been a blasphemer and he had consented to the murder of Stephen. When he was saved he was forgiven for all his sins. The same it true for every person who turns to God in repentance and trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. That forgiveness does not mean the person can go on and live in sin. We need to remember that repentance involves a turning to God and in so doing, it is a turning away from the past.
I Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
The lost person does not try to clean up his life first and then come to God. He is incapable of doing that. He comes to God in repentance. He is surrendered to God. He places himself at the mercy of God. God is merciful and willing to forgive the repentant sinner. It is essential to understand God’s way of salvation. It is essential to teach God’s way of salvation.
It is foolish to deceive people to keep them in bondage. God tells us that we, those who are truly born again, have been given the word of reconciliation. We do not make up our own way of reconciliation. God has given us the Word. Those who are saved are called upon to speak truth, not lies. Thousands of false professors twist the Scriptures and lead others in the same deception they are in.
In verse 20 we read that we are ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador does not make up his own stories. He is a representative of another. He must hold to the facts of the one who sends him out. True saints are born again through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are sent out under His authority. We have no right to change any of His Word. If we do, we are not His ambassador. The person who changes God’s Word has tried to corrupt God’s Word. Thousands of people are doing that. They will answer for that.
God warns against changing His Word. Paul encouraged the saints to be reconciled to God. He was not saying that under his own authority. He was saying that in Christ’s stead. When you listen to the multitude of false teachers all claiming to speak on Christ’s behalf, it creates quite the confusion. You have those who claim works saves. You have those who claim you can keep your sins as long as you name the name of Jesus. There are thousands of different stories out there. Did Jesus endorse all of that? Is that what Paul was directed to teach here? Of course not.
In verse 21 we are reminded that Jesus Christ was made sin for us. He did not sin. He took our sins upon Him on that cross. That is why He cried out:
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
God the Father could not look upon His Son as He hung on that cross bearing the sins of the world upon Himself. All people could be forgiven and saved. However it is only those who truly believe in Jesus Christ that are forgiven and receive eternal life.
There were two thieves hanging on crosses near Jesus, one on either side. Both of them railed on Him when they were first hung on their crosses. One of them realized they deserved to be there, but Jesus was innocent. He turned to Jesus and asked Him to remember him when He entered into His kingdom. That man was saved that very moment. The other one continued his foolishness and he died and went to hell. Jesus Christ offered both of them and all of mankind forgiveness.
It is foolish to assume that since Jesus died, all people are going to heaven. If you listen to United Church false teachers, that is what they suggest. If you listen to a New Evangelical false teacher, they might suggest some people are going to hell, but the majority will be in heaven.
Jesus Christ knew no sin but was willing to be made sin for us. It is those who trust in Him that are made the righteousness of God in Him. Notice again, those who are saved are made the righteousness of God. Is there any sin in God?
I Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
That is the standard. That standard has never changed. When a true Christian sins, he must confess his sin to God and be forgiven and then continue to build God’s Truth into his life to avoid repeating the same sin.
The Christian life is not bondage. It is freedom. Freedom from the bondage of sin. Be sure you have that freedom today.
Pastor Bartel