It Starts Small

We close chapter 5 today with Paul describing his changed perspective: He now views every person as an eternal being and not merely “according to the flesh.” That began when he learned Christ was more than just a man. Anyone who is in Christ becomes like Christ. That person is a new creation. The old version of who they were is gone, replaced by the new Christlike version.

¹⁶ From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

We regard no one according to the flesh

The way Paul viewed people changed after his salvation. Before he judged people according to the world’s standards. A successful person was wealthy, educated, respectable, and had a good position. That is how the world judges people. Paul did this prior to salvation (as we all do). But no more. In verse 14 he says that, “the love of Christ controls us.” And he goes on to say that Jesus “died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves.”

These things are not true of unbelievers. Unbelievers are controlled not by a love for Christ, but by love for success. Believers, on the other hand, are to live for Christ.

Paul and his team viewed the Corinthians through a different lens. Similarly, he probably hoped that they would view him not through the perspective of the worldly false teachers. Instead, he wanted them to see him according to a spiritual perspective, God’s standard.

We once regarded Christ according to the flesh

Prior to salvation, Paul (and his team) viewed even Jesus through a worldly perspective.

How would the world view Jesus?

Jesus, a beacon of humility, lived in poverty, far removed from the grasp of the ruling elite. The very mob that once cheered him turned their backs, casting him into a pit of despair. Mocked, beaten, whipped, and betrayed, he bore it all in silence, refusing to defend himself. Ultimately, he endured the most excruciating humiliation—crucifixion. Stripped bare, he hung on the cross, becoming a target for scorn and derision. But in that profound suffering, one must ask: was he truly unsuccessful? Did he not embody the very essence of a Messiah?

Obviously, by the world’s standards, He appeared to have failed. It seemed as if His mission had collapsed. He endured a fate of poverty, isolation, and suffering, branded as a criminal. Yet, from God’s perspective, He was nothing short of victorious! Jesus fulfilled the entire law with unparalleled perfection. He accomplished the most monumental mission in history—reconciling humanity to God! He made a way for our sins to be washed away, granting us forgiveness. If you view Jesus merely through earthly eyes, you may dismiss Him as Lord, just as Paul once did. However, when we approach Christ, God transforms the lens through which we see, providing us with an entirely new outlook. We behold Christ as He genuinely is. He is the perfect Lamb of God and the King of Kings. He lovingly sacrificed Himself for each of us!

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation

To be “in Christ” is to embrace an extraordinary relationship with Him, a bond that transforms lives. This divine connection flourishes when an individual places their unwavering trust in Jesus as their Savior. It demands a heartfelt repentance of sins and a fierce commitment to follow Him as Lord. In that moment, God breathes new life into that person, crafting them as a magnificent new creation. It’s vital to recognize that the invitation extends to “anyone.” It’s not reserved for the pious or respectable. It’s for every soul—rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, criminal or law-abiding. This includes anyone who seeks the embrace of Christ. Salvation is a boundless gift available to all who yearn for it. The one who is in Christ emerges as a glorious new creation, as Jesus fervently described it: being “born again.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3

What does it mean that a believer is a new creation? How does he change? What about his old value systems and priorities?

A believer becomes a new creation when encountering Christ. This transformation reveals a profound change in their life. This is not merely a surface-level alteration; it transcends the notion of just turning over a new leaf. It is a radical metamorphosis that breathes new life into every aspect of existence. It reshapes the very core of one’s being with fervent purpose. This change comes with unyielding conviction.

²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

God will powerfully regenerate our hearts, transforming us with a heart of flesh that beats in sync with His love. Our old value systems are dramatically replaced, and our very priorities shift to a divine frequency. Our goals, motivations, and desires unify in radiant harmony with our relationship with Christ. Yet, let us be clear: this does not mean that sin or temptation simply evaporate. It does not guarantee immunity to the struggles you once faced. Temptations that haunted you may still challenge you (Romans 7).

But God will ignite within you a brand new perspective! You will see these challenges through a vibrant, transformative lens. Coming to Christ does not mark the end of your struggles; it heralds the beginning of a powerful journey. And you are never alone in this battle! He equips you with every resource necessary to emerge as a resounding conqueror (Romans 8:37).

Another way to look at this is from a profound spiritual perspective. Our bodies are not merely destroyed and made anew; they are transformed! After salvation, we carry the same flesh, which is inherently born of sin. Before knowing Christ, our efforts to please Him seem futile. In His divine sight, all our good deeds are just filthy rags. They are tainted by flawed motivations (Isaiah 64:6). Yet, when we come to Christ, He ignites within us a vibrant spiritual life! For the very first time, we can genuinely please God. For the very first time, we can truly love God. Our spirit, once dead and separated from Him, now thrives in connection and intimacy.

This morning, take the time to write out in your journal an example of how God has changed you after salvation?

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Cross-References:

• 2 Corinthians 4:18
• 1 Samuel 16:7
• Romans 8:1
• Galatians 2:20
• Ephesians 4:22-24

Reflective Questions:

• What does Paul mean that he doesn’t regard anyone from a worldly point of view?
• How did they regard Christ?
• How might someone with a worldly view regard Christ?
• What does it mean to be “in Christ?”
• In what way is someone in Christ a new creation?
• Does this transformation happen instantly or step by step?
• How are you different after salvation?

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¹⁸ Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. ¹⁹ That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

All this is from God

He is the one who makes us a new creation. It should not be a surprise since He is the creator! He began this good work in us. Therefore, we cannot finish it by our own power.

⁶ I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Give the glory and the thanks to Him for what He has done. And continue to rely on Him for help. Do not trust in your own strength to bring you through temptation.

Through Christ reconciled us to Himself

God desires reconciliation with us, His creation. He took the initiative to make this happen. He sent His Son Jesus as a mediator. Jesus sacrificed Himself for us and brought us to the Father.

To be reconciled to others, you may need to take the first step.

Gave us the ministry of reconciliation…entrusting to us the message of reconciliation

God, in His infinite wisdom, could have chosen countless ways to deliver the life-changing gospel message to the world. Yet, He decided to empower us—ordinary people—to carry this profound truth! This is not just a task; it’s a divine ministry—a beautiful call to serve humanity. We are called to share this crucial message passionately. We aim to ignite hope and transformation in a world yearning for connection and purpose!

Why did God choose people rather than another method (such as angels)?
How is it helpful for our spiritual walk to share the gospel with others?
How is it helpful for the recipient to hear from a real person?

Note what our ministry is. It is a ministry of reconciliation. That is the ultimate goal. It is not:

• A ministry of persuasion (convincing of intellectual facts)
• A ministry of judgment (we are better than you)

We are deeply passionate about the heart! It’s not merely about persuading minds to accept a set of facts or traditions. It is about introducing individuals to Jesus. He is the source of true transformation. Through Him, they can embark on a profound, personal relationship with God. Once, they stood as enemies, but now, they are welcomed into a loving relationship with the Creator. This is the very essence of the gospel, a powerful invitation to experience divine love and connection!

When you share, remember why you are sharing. It is to bring people into a relationship with God. Apart from that personal relationship there is no reconciliation.

Therefore we are ambassadors of Christ

In this powerful verse, we encounter the profound significance of our role as believers. We are Christ’s passionate ambassadors. We represent Him in every aspect of our lives. The weight of this truth should resonate within us, influencing our very existence and actions in this world. The position of an ambassador is not just important; it is paramount. A foreign country’s connection with another is primarily established through its ambassador, whose responsibilities echo with purpose and fervor:

• To live in a foreign country and understand its people and customs, but not become like them. As Christ’s ambassadors, we live in this world. We understand its problems, but we are not to be like the world.
• An ambassador conveys his home country’s message accurately and humbly, without altering it. Similarly, as believers, we must communicate God’s message clearly and faithfully, without adding our own.
• To be mindful that our actions reflect on our country. A poor ambassador can bring shame or create distrust. As believers, our actions matter. People watch us to see how we live and are drawn to Christ through our good deeds.
• To establish diplomatic relations and promote reconciliation between God and people through the gospel.

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Cross References:

• Romans 5:10
• Colossians 1:20
• Ephesians 4:32
• Romans 10:13-15
• Acts 20:24
• Isaiah 6:8

Reflective Questions:

• All what is from God?
• Explain the concept of reconciliation between God and people.
• What is the ministry of reconciliation?
• Why would God give it to us?
• How do we accomplish this?
• Why are we called ambassadors of Christ?
• What should we do as His ambassadors?
• How should the knowledge that we are His ambassadors guide how we live and interact with the world around us?

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²¹ He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For our sake

Everything Jesus did was for us.

He made him who knew no sin

Jesus embodied a breathtaking purity, sinless in every conceivable way. He alone, among all the Jews in history, perfectly upheld the Old Testament law. He fulfilled every shadow of righteousness at every moment. He stands as the solitary figure in history who has known no sin. He resisted all temptation with unwavering strength and grace. He remained untouched by the guilt and shame that sin inflicts upon humanity.

That is why He stands as the ultimate sacrifice, the perfect embodiment of love! On the cross, Jesus took our place, bearing the weight of our sins as if they were His own. In that profound moment, God unleashed His wrath upon Jesus, not for His wrongs, but for ours. This stunning principle of imputation reveals the depth of His grace. Our sins were laid upon Him. In return, His righteousness is freely bestowed upon us!

Note that Jesus did not actually become a sinner. But He was treated by the Father as if He were one.

Have you ever made a really good trade?

God presents us with an incredible opportunity—an offer that truly is beyond compare! Imagine trading away all your sins and the heavy burden of eternal punishment that awaits them. In return, you receive the immeasurable righteousness of God’s Son. He is the only person in history to lead an utterly righteous and holy human life. This is not just a deal; it’s a life-changing gift that can transform everything!

If you have made that trade already, then thank God for His great mercy. If you haven’t, what are you waiting for?

So that we might become the righteousness of God

This is the incredible second part of that divine trade! Jesus’ righteousness is magnificently imputed to you. When God gazes upon you, He sees not your sins but the radiant righteousness of Christ shining through! He won’t perceive you as the sinner you might feel you are. Instead, He sees you as someone beautifully made holy by the sacrificial Lamb!

Praise God for His mercy! And resolve once again to live your life in a worthy way, responding to the love He has shown you.

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Cross References:

• Romans 5:12,18
• 1 Peter 2:24
• Philippians 3:9

Reflective Questions:

• What does it mean that Jesus was made to “be sin?”
• How can a believer “become righteousness?”

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