In our text from Paul’s second letter to the church in
Corinth, Paul returns to his own role in proclaiming Christ, urging that Christ’s
life, death and resurrection ought to change our perspective on everything.
Paul, along with all those who find themselves “in Christ,” inhabits
a new world. This new world started with the life, cross and resurrection
of Jesus. Paul now sees everything differently, from a new perspective, and
urges those who follow Christ to do the same.
Paul is not talking of a personal new birth (though that is
part of it); rather, Paul is announcing the advent of the new creation “in
Christ.” This new creation is a reversal of the ways of the current
world or to use Paul’s language, “the flesh.” This new creation
is a real possibility here on this earth where all creation can be as it is
intended to be: in right relationship with God or again to use Paul’s
language “reconciled to God.”
Paul seeks to paint a picture of this “new creation”
which has taken a hold of him causing him to see things differently--not according
to a human point of view but as one reconciled to God. This “new creation”
forces out the old. This “new creation” is from God (and not from
us). Those who are a “new creation” ought to be solely about seeing
others become reconciled to God and it is to this end that we who are “new”
and “reconciled” ought to live our life.
Without the redeeming work of God through Christ, through whom
God is reconciling the world, we would be left living according to the old
way of life--according to the flesh, our sinful and selfish desires. Thanks
be to God for not standing far off in the heavens, but coming to us so that
we might become the righteousness of God.
We see in this text that humans stand between two choices: to
live as they have always lived or to live a new life given through faith in
Christ Jesus. Paul paints a picture of the human predicament. On one hand,
we humans have the choice to live as we have always lived; see things the
way we have always seen them; doing things the way we have always done them;
to live life from a “human point of view.” On the other hand,
Paul paints a picture of the life lived by faith in Christ Jesus. In this
new life, the old passes away, for we who are in Christ are now a new creation.
Things no longer have to be as they have always been. A new life, a new world,
a new perspective is possible.
We have been reconciled to God through Christ Jesus. This new
life is possible and we know it is true because Jesus Christ has shown it
to us. God sent Christ to us so that we would know that a new life is possible.
Our text tells us, “All of this is from God, who reconciled us to himself
through Christ.” God sent us Christ, so that we might see a new way
to live: a way centered on God and the things of God rather than on the world
and the things, values, ideas it holds. Be reconciled to God. The way has
been paved for us to begin again with God, to live the life God intended us
to live. This is the good news of the gospel: the old has gone; the new has
come--Thanks be to God.
We have a choice before us: to go on living life like we have
always lived it or to live as God intended for us to live. God has already
set into motion the path of living this new life. Jesus Christ, in His life,
death and resurrection, has shown us that this new life is possible here and
now. God sent Jesus so that we might know there is actually a way back to
God. “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself.” We
have to live into this life that has already been given us. If we are in Christ,
this new life is possible. We have to live into this new life.
What does this new life look life? We, who are in Christ, are
now ambassadors for Christ. We speak for God while we are on this earth. This
new life we are given is nothing less than being Christ to those around us.
Just as Christ showed the first disciples and continues to show us the path
back to God, so we too join Christ in showing others the path back to God.
It is the ministry of reconciliation and God has given this ministry to us
while we are on this earth. In the old life, we lived for ourselves. In this
new life, we live for Christ and to see other live for Christ.
(For the full manuscript of this sermon
go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons.”)
This text is about becoming the person God intended us to be.
This is the good news of the gospel. Life does not have to be the way that
it is: new life is possible. The even better news is that this new life is
not about us and our ability but about God and God’s work in us. In
this text, the apostle Paul paints a picture of the human predicament. On
one hand you have the “old”--the way we have always lived life,
seeing life the way we have always seen it, doing what we have always done.
On the other hand, there is this new life: a life lived reconciled to God;
a life that is about seeing others reconciled to God. Paul tell us that anyone
who is in Christ is a “new creation.” Anyone who has faith in
Christ and lives for Him no longer has to live with regrets of the past, addictions,
or failures. Anyone can actually live a new life: one that is right with God
and one that is right with others. God has made this way of life possible
through Jesus Christ. God sent his Son so that we might know that this new
life is possible. We also see from this text, that this new life is not just
for ourselves, as though that is the only thing that matters, but this new
life is for all creation. Somehow we get to be a part of what God is doing
in the world. God calls us His ambassadors. God is actually making His appeal
through us. God has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation--making
Christ known to others--so that they too might live this new life.
