2 Corinthians 5:16-21
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:18b
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Who am I? This seemingly straightforward question may have profound philosophical implications. In our current world, which seems increasingly complicated, each of us may be undertaking multiple roles and responsibilities in different situations. Parent, child, worker, leader, supporter, friend, provider, lawyer, teacher, cell group member, etc., etc., are some of the different roles we might find ourselves in as we continue to navigate the complex labyrinth of life.
Irrespective of our lot in this life, Paul clearly describes an identity that all believers have assumed in this passage. In verse 16, he states: “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.” He has built his arguments in the preceding verses:
• Because we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen (2 Corinthians 4:18).
• Because our earthly tent will be destroyed, but we will have a new body, eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1).
• Because we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
• Because we do not glory in appearance, but we glory in heart (2 Corinthians 5:12).
This verse challenges us to look upon individuals, not on their image or appearance. Still, on the quality of their heart, just as God reminded Samuel when he was looking for a new king to replace Saul, “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7b). We do this because, as Christians, we are a new creation, with the old things passing away. All things are becoming new (v. 17). The new things include our new perspective and outlook on life, looking at things spiritually rather than according to the flesh.
Seeing things spiritually leads us to recognise our calling: God has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation (vv. 18–20). Earlier, Paul reminded us that we will all appear before Christ’s judgment seat (5:10), to give an account for what we have done. Therefore, no work is more significant than participating in God’s reconciling mission—helping others be restored to Him through Christ.
Paul then proceeds to call himself (and us) Christ’s ambassadors. An ambassador is a person who has been sent by a state or country to a foreign land to serve as its representative, holding a high position, if not the highest, in that country. His role is to speak not of himself but of what his king or president has tasked him to speak. His personal opinion matters little. He speaks with the authority not of himself, but of whom he is representing. The ambassador answers directly to the king or president, seeking to please the one who sent him rather than the audience he addresses.
The passage ends with what I would consider remarkable points. The act of reconciliation is truly amazing. Imagine God, who is almighty and self-sufficient, and we who are lost and doomed. Yet it is God who pleads for mankind to be reconciled with him (v. 20). All this is only possible because of the tremendous sacrifice that Christ has made to be our sacrificial lamb (v. 21)
Reflection:
• How do I view the people around me? Do I see them “according to the flesh,” or as God sees them?
• What does it mean for me to view others spiritually? How might that change my relationships?
• As Christ’s ambassador, am I more concerned about pleasing people or pleasing God? Why?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for your wondrous gift of salvation. You allowed for this by sending your glorious Son to die for my sins and the sins of the whole world. Thank you for the incredible privilege of being your ambassador in this world. Please give me the strength to fulfil my responsibilities well, and forgive me when I fail. Help me find my place in this ministry of reconciliation you have given to all of us, and help us work together and persevere to the end. In Jesus’ name we ask this, Amen.
Click to read
Who am I? This seemingly straightforward question may have profound philosophical implications. In our current world, which seems increasingly complicated, each of us may be undertaking multiple roles and responsibilities in different situations. Parent, child, worker, leader, supporter, friend, provider, lawyer, teacher, cell group member, etc., etc., are some of the different roles we might find ourselves in as we continue to navigate the complex labyrinth of life.
Irrespective of our lot in this life, Paul clearly describes an identity that all believers have assumed in this passage. In verse 16, he states: “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.” He has built his arguments in the preceding verses:
• Because we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen (2 Corinthians 4:18).
• Because our earthly tent will be destroyed, but we will have a new body, eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1).
• Because we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
• Because we do not glory in appearance, but we glory in heart (2 Corinthians 5:12).
This verse challenges us to look upon individuals, not on their image or appearance. Still, on the quality of their heart, just as God reminded Samuel when he was looking for a new king to replace Saul, “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7b). We do this because, as Christians, we are a new creation, with the old things passing away. All things are becoming new (v. 17). The new things include our new perspective and outlook on life, looking at things spiritually rather than according to the flesh.
Seeing things spiritually leads us to recognise our calling: God has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation (vv. 18–20). Earlier, Paul reminded us that we will all appear before Christ’s judgment seat (5:10), to give an account for what we have done. Therefore, no work is more significant than participating in God’s reconciling mission—helping others be restored to Him through Christ.
Paul then proceeds to call himself (and us) Christ’s ambassadors. An ambassador is a person who has been sent by a state or country to a foreign land to serve as its representative, holding a high position, if not the highest, in that country. His role is to speak not of himself but of what his king or president has tasked him to speak. His personal opinion matters little. He speaks with the authority not of himself, but of whom he is representing. The ambassador answers directly to the king or president, seeking to please the one who sent him rather than the audience he addresses.
The passage ends with what I would consider remarkable points. The act of reconciliation is truly amazing. Imagine God, who is almighty and self-sufficient, and we who are lost and doomed. Yet it is God who pleads for mankind to be reconciled with him (v. 20). All this is only possible because of the tremendous sacrifice that Christ has made to be our sacrificial lamb (v. 21)
Reflection:
• How do I view the people around me? Do I see them “according to the flesh,” or as God sees them?
• What does it mean for me to view others spiritually? How might that change my relationships?
• As Christ’s ambassador, am I more concerned about pleasing people or pleasing God? Why?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for your wondrous gift of salvation. You allowed for this by sending your glorious Son to die for my sins and the sins of the whole world. Thank you for the incredible privilege of being your ambassador in this world. Please give me the strength to fulfil my responsibilities well, and forgive me when I fail. Help me find my place in this ministry of reconciliation you have given to all of us, and help us work together and persevere to the end. In Jesus’ name we ask this, Amen.