READ:

Read or listen to 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; 6:1-2.

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. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! Everything is from God, who has 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 he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

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

Working together with him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive the grace of God in vain.” For he says:

At an acceptable time I listened to you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.

See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!

The written Scripture is CSB, however, the audio Scripture is ESV.

FOCUS:

What is “the ministry of reconciliation” that Paul refers to in this passage? How are you called to participate in it?

PRAY:

God rescues us for a purpose. Not only do we glorify him as we follow Jesus, but we also participate in his work of salvation as witnesses to his work. Ask God to increase your awareness of opportunities around you to share Christ with others.