( 2 Cor 5:18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”  Reconciliation: the price for this reconciliation was the death of Jesus Christ in payment for your sins and mine. The ministry of reconciliation is the invitation of repent and embrace Jesus by faith to receive the gift of eternal life. Most claim to have received the gift without the act of repentance. Such cannot be. That is why there is no evidence of Verse 17.

(2Co 5:17) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”  “All things”: are new (v.17); are of God (v.18). The saved are brought out of a life of flesh, only to the satisfying of self. In turn they are brought into a life where all things are “of God” and “for God’s glory”!  Is that the purpose of your life?

(2 Cor 5:17)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”   It is of utmost importance you take an honest assessment of your spiritual state, not being dishonest with self, nor seeking excuse. Can you say that from the moment of praying the prayer to be saved your life was changed? You from that point sought to live for Christ? If not, you may not have been truly saved at all: (2Co_13:5) “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 

(2Co 5:16) “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (17)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  The new person (saved) in Christ is now a spirit being, which explains what is meant in Verse 16. I used to “know” of Jesus as a lost person, but when I repented and embraced Him as Savior, He gave me spirit-life allowing me to know Him in a far more intimate way.

(2Co 5:15) “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”    True salvation delivers the soul from the prompting of the flesh and the input of the world, which focuses this life only on self – it’s desires; it’s aims. The spirit’s new life in us turns our hearts (soul) towards God. Therefore in thankfulness we live a life of purpose – Jesus’ glory! 

(2Co 5:14) “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”   I bear witness to the constraining grip of Christ’s love. When I realized He suffered bearing “my” sin, it gripped my heart and has never let go! What could I possibly withhold from One Who loves me so much? Only an evil heart would fail to embrace such a precious Savior.

(2Co 5:14) “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”  Christ died for all because all were dead. First, all were dead spiritually. Second, all die physically because of sin: “The wages of sin is death.” (Rom 6:23a). Jesus’ death took place as payment for the sins of mankind so that both spiritual and physical life could be given to the repentant soul.

(2Co 5:14) “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”  We need to focus today upon the phrase, “…that if one died for all,…”. Our Lord Jesus did not just die for those who would eventually have the salvation experience. He bore the sin of every single person who did or would live. Our God desires all men to be saved even though they choose otherwise.

(2Co 5:13) “For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.”   The Lord had led Paul into a singleness of mind that focused like a laser upon his ministry to others. No matter the situation, he was living it out for the good of those saved through him. May the Lord give each of us such a mentality of individual ministry.

(2Co 5:12) “For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.”  Man’s own prideful nature prompts him to wish to know and glory in the “somebody(s)”  of this world. Meeting such a wrong spiritual outlook is not done for the purpose of feeding the flesh, but to allow one to reach  them for Christ Jesus.