2 Cor.5:11-21 reminds us that we Christians have a ministry of reconciliation. We have been brought back to God through the saving work of the crucified and resurrected Jesus. Now we have the responsibility of trying to persuade others to be reconciled as well, by placing their faith in Jesus, repenting of their sins, confessing that he is Lord and being baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This Scripture says that Christ’s love compels us to participate in this joint effort to bring people to God by bringing them to Jesus (v.14). We can’t help but want to spread the good news about salvation through Jesus. V.15 is a key verse— “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

The love that Jesus showed by dying on the cross in our place is a forceful motivation for us to be actively trying to get other people to respond to his love. The fact that he was raised from the dead proves that he has the authority to forgive us and to commission us to be his representatives to proclaim his message of salvation. V.20 explains the importance of our role in God’s radical plan to save the world through Jesus— “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

We must emphasize the need for all people to be reconciled to God because all people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23), and the wages of sin is death (Rom.6:23). Jesus claims to be the only way to be reconciled to God (John 14:6), and his disciples insisted that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

The fact that everyone needs to be reconciled to God and that they cannot be reconciled to God except through Jesus is of the utmost importance. It is critical that we Christians understand the nature of our role as Christ’s ambassadors.

2 Cor.6:1-2 contains this exhortation— “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

The task is urgent, and the time is short! Let us take very seriously this ministry of reconciliation!