2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NRSV)
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Verse 16From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. Verse 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! Verse 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; Verse 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. Verse 20So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Verse 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Devotion
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation ... see, everything has become new. What a promise! Ponder what that means for each one of us. This dangles before our eyes new possibilities and surprising opportunities. While this is from God who has reconciled us in Christ, God calls us to this ministry of reconciliation. God is making this reconciling, peacemaking, forgiving appeal to the world through us.
Jesus also said, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (John 20:21) We are his ambassadors in a foreign land. It is as if God says, "World, you see how I have loved you and sought to reconcile you in Jesus. Now, world, look at my church, my ambassadors to share this ministry of reconciliation. They will share my love, my forgiveness, my blessing with you." In every day of our lives, God is making his appeal through us.
Prayer
Creator of all things, we rejoice that in Christ you have given to us and all the world the promise and possibilities of the new creation. Help us live as ambassadors of that newness every day. Amen.