The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum 2 Cor 5

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

What is Paul talking about in verse 20? What does it mean to be reconciled to God?

Simply put, we are both "ambassadors" of the Gospel, passively and actively. 1) Since we are "new creatures" in Christ, our lives will (should) reflect that change and thus gain the attention of some. And 2) we are 'evangelists' of the Gospel to those who are by birth, enemies of God and need to be reconciled to God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But also, this accomplished reconciliation applies continually to believers who can avail the forgiveness of confessed sins throughout life.