“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, [he is] a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation … to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us; we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him [to be] sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (II Corinthians 5:17-21)
If you think of a young child engaged in constructing a tall building with blocks, you will begin to understand how apostle Paul is presenting a similar building analogy to the saints at Corinth. Paul begins with a foundational truth — that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Paul then continues, bringing us next to that pivotal place whereby we understand being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. And similarly, that if any man be in Christ, he/she is a new creature. Translated further, this means old things — the things of this world have passed away, and all things are become new.
In speaking about being born again to Nicodemus, Jesus conveys a similar message. That is, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God!” (John 3:3) Does this mean returning to our mother’s womb to be born again? Of course not. Rather, what Jesus is saying is that if we want to see the Kingdom of God, and enter therein, we must be born of the water and of the Spirit.
As Jesus said, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, “Ye must be born again.” (John 3:1-21)
Thus, when we repent and are water baptized in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus, we are clothed in His righteousness, having received the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-41)
To as many as receive this same Jesus (who is both Lord and Christ), “to them gave He power to become the sons of God — to them that believe on His Name, which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13; Acts 2:38)
In other words, God made a way of salvation, by reconciling us (His body of Christ church) to Himself, shedding His own precious, holy blood so that we might have abundant, everlasting life in Him. (Acts 20:28)
“After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared …” (Titus 3:4-7)
But the good news gospel message does not stop there. When the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a Son — God having robed Himself in flesh — He did so in order that you and I might have abundant life in Him. (Luke 1:35)
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son. and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6)
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Romans 5:10-11)
“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, [I say], whether they be things in earth or things in heaven, and you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and un-blameable and un-reprovable in His sight. If ye continued in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel …” (Colossians 1:20-23)
As a result of God willingly becoming our Saviour — His salvation plan hid in His bosom from the very beginning, we now have “an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.” (I John 2:2)
“But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption that, according as it is written, “he that glories, let him glory in the Lord!” (I Corinthians 1:30-31; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 9:23-24; II Corinthians 10:17)
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17; Hebrews 2:4; Romans 3:21; Galatians 3:11)
Even so are we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith — Christ’s. (II Corinthians 10:7)
Stand in the offering plate.
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