2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Only one goal in life fits those created by God.  They must live to please their Maker (5:9).  Paul does this by carrying out the ministry of the new covenant (3:6), declaring that Christ died for sinful men that they might live for Him (5:15).  Paul is moved by the fear of God, knowing that all men including himself will stand before God to give account of their lives (v11).  Paul is also moved by the love of Christ (v14).  

In today’s passage we are presented with yet another compelling motivation for serving God.  Paul says, “God has done something wonderful for all mankind and He has called me to declare that good news to others.”  

What is it that God has done?  He has made it possible for sinful humanity to be reconciled to the Creator against whom they have rebelled.  On the one hand God has not been counting their sins against them (v19).  The word impute means to put to one’s account.  Impute is an accounting term, referring to items put on a ledger as either assets or liabilities.  The Bible speaks of 3 great accounting transactions or imputations …

o   The sin of Adam was put to every man’s account (Rom. 5:12).  We all became sinners in Adam.

o   The sin of men was put to Christ’s account (Isa. 53:12; 2 Cor. 5:18,21).  Christ took our liability on Himself.  As v21 says: “He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.”

o   The righteousness of Christ was put to the account of the believer (2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:8-9; Rom. 5:17-19).  

When you put this together you understand v19, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them.  Someone else (Christ) paid the debt owed by mankind.  Thus the sin that made man the enemy of God has been forgiven; there can be reconciliation.

This is certainly wonderful news.  It speaks of something God has already done.  And it speaks of people needing to be reconciled to God (v20).  Thus the ministry of reconciliation consists of people simply declaring what God has done (v19) and pleading with people to receive the reconciliation.  Paul illustrates this with the reference to being ambassadors for Christ (v20).  An ambassador is the representative of a government or king.  He is not charged with expressing his own ideas but solely passes on the message given to him.  

One last truth must be noted in v18: God has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.  Paul had a unique ministry that included the recording of Scripture.  But the ministry of sharing this good news with others belongs to every believer.  What joy there is in declaring the word of reconciliation.  Who would not want to tell their friends and loved ones that God has already removed the source of enmity?  Who would not be inclined to implore those friends and loved ones to be reconciled to God?