The righteousness of God

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. – 2 Corinthians 5v21

Things are starting to really click for Paul now. He has really been though it. For a time he could not make any sense of it all. We have seen a transition in his thinking in chapters 2-5. He reasons that that there really is a purpose in it all. What conclusion does he come to? “We are ambassadors for Christ.” God has made us His ambassage with a purpose and a ministry. Because of that we should expect that things are not going to be normal.

We are living in a place that is not our home. In a world of people who are enemies of God we have been reconciled. In a sense were are like emissaries of a hostile nation in a war zone. Though we have the protection of our home country, we are still enemies in a foreign land. Therefore it is only natural to expect that we are going to have difficulties and struggles. It is not going to feel at home.

Why? What is the purpose? Is it really worth it? Our goal is to strive to bring men over to our side. We were His enemy. We were lost in our sin. But now we have been reconciled to Him. That alone is an amazing fact, but the next is, if possible, even more astounding. “We have become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Wait a minute – did I really read that right? I have become the righteousness of God? We have all the righteousness He requires. He requires absolute perfection, total righteousness, how can I possibly have achieved that? Two words – “Through Him.” Christ is the One who can reconcile me to God and provide His righteousness for me.

I am reconciled to God. I am declared righteous in His righteousness alone. God has given me a ministry of reconciling others to Him.

That’s why things get tough at times. We don’t get to keep our own agenda. But after all He has done for us, should we not be willing to go through just a little for Him as His ambassadors?