G. Campbell Morgan writes, "What urgency breathes through these words! The subject is that of the reconciliation made possible between man and God, because 'God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.'" Before Paul shares this urgent message, he attempts to clear up a misunderstanding on the part of the Corinthians about his life and ministry that does not seem to meet their expectations, he assures them he is not crazy, and he affirms his primary motivation is "the love of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:12-14a). Paul makes it clear that all need to be saved and all can be saved (2 Corinthians 5:14b-15a). Let's look at three great movements in this text recorded in 2 Corinthians chapter five.

First, note the great transaction (2 Corinthians 5:14-16, 21). The mission of reconciliation began when Christ came to die for all, and we are to see all people estranged from God in need of believing and receiving the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-16). The method of reconciliation is found in 2 Corinthians 5:21 where we read, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." As Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again" (John 3:7). Philip Doddridge penned these words: "'Tis done, the great transaction's done: I am my Lord's and he is mine."

Second, note the great transformation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Here Paul declares, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The miracle of reconciliation is that a person can go from being "in Adam" to being "in Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:22). The measure of reconciliation is found in 2 Corinthians 5:17b, "he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." I remember the following line from a gospel song: "Oh what a difference, what a great transformation!" This change is as great as the metamorphosis of caterpillars becoming butterflies or tadpoles becoming bullfrogs.

Third, note the great transmission (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). The ministry of reconciliation is explained in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19a and 20a, where we read, "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them. . . Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf. . ." When we are born again, we are to be God's transmitters communicating the message of reconciliation to a world estranged from Him. The message of reconciliation or "the word of reconciliation" is committed to all believers (2 Corinthians 5:19b and 20b).

As ambassadors of the King of Kings we are to declare how all can be reconciled to God. This is an urgent message.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.