Our Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17 – 6:2)

Sermon Summary

Brother Daniel

23 August 2020

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What does it mean to be reconciled to God? How are we able to reconciled to Him?

We are estranged from God due to two fundamental factors: Firstly , the height of His absolute holiness, and secondly the depth of our depravity and sinfulness.

Consider when these two factors meet in the holy scriptures, e.g. 2 Samuel 6:3-7 and Uzzah being struck down for touching the Ark of the Covenant. Numbers 15:32-36 when a man was stoned to death for dishonouring the Sabbath and collecting firewood. We should be deeply reverential of God in His holiness and deeply concerned about our sinfulness. In addition, a redeemed heart should rejoice when God vindicates His own holiness in His justice, as in those two examples.

So how can we deal with our sin problem and have our sin 'put away,' like David? (2 Sam 12:13) And how can God be a just judge and yet not 'impute' our sins to us? (Psalm 32:1-2) Impute means to reckon to someone's account, or assume about someone.

Romans 3:23-25 deals with this issue. God shows His righteousness (that's mentioned twice!) by putting forth Jesus as a propitiation (sacrifice that takes away God's wrath). That's how God could pass over former sins (like David's!). So reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5 is about God not 'imputing' our sins to us since He made the Son to be our sacrifice for sin. Some modern interpreters question the concept of imputed righteousness, but a quick survey of the Old Testament shows the concept is part of the background to New Testament courtroom-like discussions of our salvation.

2 Corinthians 5:21 - God made Jesus to be an offering for sin, He reckoned our sins to Jesus' account, and in the 'Great Exchange' He reckoned the righteousness of Christ to our account. So today is the day of salvation. Are you trusting in Jesus and His righteousness? Has God declared you 'not guilty'? Make sure you are right with God.