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SEPTEMBER 13
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ,
according to the flesh. Even though we have as though God were pleading through us: we
known Christ according to the flesh, yet now implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled
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we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if to God. For He made Him who knew no sin
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anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old to be sin for us, that we might become the
things have passed away; behold, all things righteousness of God in Him.
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have become new. Now all things are of God,
who has reconciled us to Himself through Je-
sus Christ, and has given us the ministry of
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reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ 5:21 Here Paul summarized the heart of the
reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing gospel, explaining how sinners can be recon-
their trespasses to them, and has committed ciled to God through Jesus Christ. These 15
to us the word of reconciliation. Greek words express the doctrines of imputa-
tion and substitution like no other single
verse. who knew no sin. Jesus Christ, the sin-
less Son of God (Gal. 4:4,5; Luke 23:4,14,22,47;
John 8:46; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet. 1:19; 2:22–24;
5:19 God was in Christ. God by His own will 3:18; Rev. 5:2–10). sin for us. God the Father,
and design used His Son, the only acceptable using the principle of imputation, treated
and perfect sacrifice,as the means to reconcile Christ as if He were a sinner though He was
sinners to Himself. reconciling the world. not,and had Him die as a substitute to pay the
God initiates the change in the sinner’s status penalty for the sins of those who believe in
in that He brings him from a position of alien- Him (Is.53:4–6;Gal.3:10–13;1 Pet.2:24).On the
ation to a state of forgiveness and right rela- cross, He did not become a sinner (as some
tionship with Himself.This again is the essence suggest),but remained as holy as ever.He was
of the gospel.The word “world”should not be treated as if He were guilty of all the sins ever
interpreted in any universalistic sense, which committed by all who would ever believe,
would say that everyone will be saved or even though He committed none.The wrath of God
potentially reconciled.“World” refers rather to was exhausted on Him and the just require-
the entire sphere of mankind or humanity ment of God’s law met for those for whom He
(Titus 2:11; 3:4), the category of beings to died. the righteousness of God. Another ref-
whom God offers reconciliation—people erence to justification and imputation. The
from every ethnic group, without distinction. righteousness that is credited to the believer’s
The intrinsic merit of Christ’s reconciling death account is the righteousness of Jesus Christ,
is infinite and the offer is unlimited. However, God’s Son. As Christ was not a sinner, but was
actual atonement was made only for those treated as if He were, so believers who have
who believe (John 10:11,15; 17:9; Acts 13:48; not yet been made righteous (until glorifica-
20:28; Rom. 8:32,33; Eph. 5:25). tion) are treated as if they were righteous.

DAY 13:What does Paul mean when he writes about being “in Christ”
and someone being a “new creation”(2 Cor. 5:17)?

Paul uses the term “in Christ” when he writes about various aspects of our relationship with
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. These two words comprise a brief but profound statement of the
inexhaustible significance of the believer’s redemption (salvation), which includes the following:
1.The believer’s security in Christ, who bore in His body God’s judgment against sin.
2.The believer’s acceptance in (through) Christ with whom God alone is well pleased.
3. The believer’s future assurance in Him who is the resurrection to eternal life and the sole
guarantor of the believer’s inheritance in heaven.
4.The believer’s participation in the divine nature of Christ, the everlasting Word (2 Pet. 1:4).
All of the changes that Christ brings to the believer’s life result in a state that can be rightly
called “a new creation.”The terms describe something created at a qualitatively new level of excel-
lence. They parallel other biblical concepts like regeneration and new birth (John 3:3; Eph. 2:1–3;
Titus 3:5; 1 Pet.1:23; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 5:4).The expression includes the Christian’s forgiveness of sins
paid for in Christ’s substitutionary death (Gal. 6:15; Eph. 4:24).

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