NEW CREATURES IN CHRIST

Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Key verse: 17

NIV

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly(A) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,(B) the new creation(C) has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!(D) 18 All this is from God,(E) who reconciled us to himself through Christ(F) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.(G) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,(H) as though God were making his appeal through us.(I) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.(J) 21 God made him who had no sin(K) to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(L)

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

16 From now on, therefore, (A)we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is (B)in Christ, he is (C)a new creation.[a] (D)The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, (E)who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us (F)the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[b] the world to himself, (G)not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us (H)the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, (I)we are ambassadors for Christ, (J)God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 (K)For our sake he made him to be sin (L)who knew no sin, so that in him we might become (M)the righteousness of God.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or creature
  2. 2 Corinthians 5:19 Or God was in Christ, reconciling
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. A changed viewpoint (6-17)

When we invite Christ into our lives he changes us. Becoming a new creation changes the way we look at others, at ourselves and at Christ.

2. Reconciled to God through Christ (18-19a)

The change is not superficial. We were enemies of God, sinners living in rebellion against God. But Christ came and took our sins and died on the cross so that we might be righteous and have peace with God. This is the key to having peace with men.

3. The ministry of reconciliation (19b-21)

God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might have God's peace and be God's righteous people in the world. He made us Christ's ambassadors. That is, he entrusted us with the task of bringing Jesus to the world, and the world to Jesus. This is the ministry of reconciliation. God wants all the world to be reconciled to himself, so that he may restore all things and bless all people.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your peace. Help me to bring others to you by sharing Jesus with them.

One Word: A new creation; an ambassador for Christ