12 June 2021

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 

2 Corinthians 5:14-21, NRSV

Paul was aware of the ongoing conflict in the community at Corinth where there had been some opposition to his ministry and preaching. He wanted to let this community know that reconciliation was possible. Paul speaks of reconciliation as a gift of God gained through Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. The reconciliation of which Paul speaks is not something to be earned but to be received by those who are “in Christ”. He describes the effect of reconciliation as becoming a new creation. For some, this has been experienced as a radical “born-again” experience where a person has completely changed the course of their lives. For most of us, this becoming a new creation does not mean we are perfect but that we are on a journey that will only be complete when we reach heaven. However, for those who are “in Christ”, our sin does not need to overwhelm us and at times we may be graced with a sense of God’s unrelenting love and forgiveness.

• • How might Paul’s message have helped the Corinthians?
  • Can you recall a time when you were especially aware of God’s love and forgiveness?

Pray today for those who feel overwhelmed by their faults and failings.