2 Corinthians 5:16-21 • Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
We See Everyone Differently
Part of pursuing reconciliation is seeing the people around us differently. Christians don’t get to define people by lines that the world draws, labels the world gives, or judgments the world makes. If the love of Jesus is what compels us and calls us to live for him (not ourselves! • v.14-15 ), then we get to strive to see people from his heavenly perspective.
How would you know if you’re seeing someone from a worldly perspective or a heavenly one?
Give some practical examples. What might your thoughts, words, desires, judgments, etc. about / towards a person sound like if you were seeing them one way versus the other?
Is this new, heavenly perspective based on the other person (who they are, how they treat you, if they’re a Christian, etc.)? Why does this matter?
God Sees You Differently
Part of pursuing reconciliation also comes from being reconciled to God, by God, at God’s cost ourselves. God sees us differently and knows us differently because we are different - and he made us different! Our old selves who were once alive to sin and dead to God, were killed with Jesus on the cross and buried with Jesus in his tomb. And now that Jesus has risen, we’ve now been made alive as reconciled, redeemed, restored, resurrected people who are alive to love, grace, and God.
Consider a time when you have experienced reconciliation after being hurt by someone. How hard was that? What did that take from you in order to mend that relationship?
Likewise, consider that apart from Jesus, we naturally offend God, disrespect him, and don’t treat him the way we ought. What did it take from him in order to truly, fully reconcile with us? What did it take from us?
If we’re truly reconciled in Christ, how does God see you now? Is that easy or hard to believe?
We See What God’s Doing Everywhere
God’s reconciliation came to us, because God’s reconciling with the world! And because we’ve been recipients of his reconciliation with the world, we’ve also been “promoted” to ambassadors of his reconciliation to the world. This changes not only how we see others or ourselves, but what we want for others and ourselves.
What is an ambassador? Who do their words belong to, reflect, and represent?
When we harbor bitterness, unforgiveness, or treat others as “too far gone,” “too different,” or “not that important” for us to want to reconcile with, what are we saying as God’s ambassadors about his mission, his ability to reconcile, his desires, etc.?
Do you ever use Jesus or your Christian faith to draw lines, drive wedges, or justify not wanting to see someone experience reconciliation - with God, with others, or with you? How does it show up?
Based on what we learn about God in this passage, how should “becoming the righteousness of God” actually push us towards people, relationships, etc. that aren’t reconciled?
Is there someone that comes to mind for you personally?
What’s your role in that? What’s God’s?
How can you see that person differently in light of your own new creation?
How can the other person’s place with God - and God’s ministry towards them! - shape your own desires, prayers, thoughts, etc. for them?