Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

The Situation Glory Man is created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27) Man broke fellowship with God (Gen. 3:6-8) Sin is hostility, enmity, defiance, rebellion (cf. 1 Sam. 15:22-23) Corruption Always a downward spiral of degradation (Rom. 1:24-25) All are guilty (Rom. 3:23) Restoration Back to glory (Rom. 5:2) This is what is meant by reconciliation

A Few Things To Note Reconciliation is an invitation (and command) from God to be restored to His fellowship - - “be reconciled to God” (v. 20) This invitation is given to enemies (Rom. 5:6-11) There is “the ministry of reconciliation” (v. 18) and “the word of reconciliation” (v. 19). This is the gospel of Christ 4

A change must take place. It is man that must be reconciled, not God A change must take place. It is man that must be reconciled, not God. Man must change in order to receive the provisions God has made possible. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Cor. 5:19; Col. 1:21-22) Reconciliation doesn’t “just happen.” Neither is the action all on the part of God. There is a call to man “to be reconciled to God” (v. 20) 5

Be Reconciled To God In order for there to be reconciliation there is to be a “renewal” (Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:9-10) This is some thing to be done personally and coincides with the teaching on repentance (Acts 26:18 depicts the action of repentance) Baptism (where one receives the forgiveness of sins) comes after repentance (Acts 2:38) The cause one to be a new creature (creation) in Christ (v. 17; cf. Rom. 6:3-4) What are the old things? The former life of sin What are the new things? The life of obedience unto righteousness 6