Week 4: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

In today’s world of great disharmony, the pursuit of reconciliation sounds especially sweet. Reconciliation has been defined as “the act of reestablishing friendship between two persons who are on bad terms.” We know what it means to be on bad terms with other people, yet we rarely pause to consider that the same is true in our relationship with God. By nature, we are his enemies. Our sin is a direct rebellion against the God of the universe, and we can’t seem to stop ourselves from pulling the trigger. Left to our own devices, we don’t have the capacity to initiate a divine ceasefire: to fix the sin problem. But God does, because while we were still his enemies, Christ died for us (Rom 5:6-10). Not only does he choose to not count our transgressions against us, but he absorbs the punishment himself at the cross. This describes the vertical dimension of reconciliation. But there is a horizontal dimension, too. Having been reconciled to God through faith, he commissions us to go and be reconciled to others in the same way.

Reflection Questions

1. According to this passage, how can we be reconciled to God? What are the effects of this reconciliation?

2. For God to reconcile us to himself, he absorbed the cost. Who absorbs the cost in human relationships? Is it always fair? Consider fairness vs. mercy. Which takes priority?

3. When have you witnessed an example of reconciliation in your own life? 

4. Reflection Question: Who is one person in your life you wish you were on better terms with? How can you pray about this? What might it mean to be an ambassador of reconciliation in this situation?