“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”– 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
I am not much of a golfer. I do enjoy trying to play occasionally but I must admit, I don’t take the game too seriously. That may be because I tend to hit the “Big Ball” (the earth) more than I do the little white ball. At least that’s my friend Randy’s analogy of my game. Thanks Bud!
Anyway, there is one thing about the game of golf that I like. That is the concept of the mulligan. The mulligan is the second chance or do-over that you get after a poor tee shot. The mulligan is a type of forgiveness in that you get a chance to have a brand new start without penalty.
Forgiveness without penalty is not a new concept by the way. Jesus made that offer to you and to me when He willing gave His life on the cross of Calvary.
Listen to Paul’s description of this exchange to the church at Corinth.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (ESV)
It is evident to me that Paul was describing for us this reality of what new life in Christ is all about. First, Paul states clearly that this new life, “mulligan” if you will, is from God and God alone. Secondly, he states that not only is this God’s plan but it can only be received in God’s way, through Jesus Christ His only begotten Son. Paul then states that this new life is lived out as a relationship, and with relationship comes responsibility.
The relationship Paul describes here is one of being ambassadors for Christ. Just as Paul, being an ambassador for Christ implored them to be reconciled, we too have the same responsibility; to implore others to respond to the great gift of life both eternal and abundant that is offered through Christ.
May this year, 2013, be a year that we as Ambassadors of Christ are faithful to the ministry of reconciliation so that His kingdom will grow to the honor and glory of the only One who is worthy!
In Christ,
Brother TIm
