II Corinthians 5:17-21
The War Is Over

Introduction
1. After the Civil War, WWI, WWII the headlines read: THE WAR IS OVER! In each case
some would fight on not knowing the war had ended.
2. A greater war raged between a sinful man and a holy God. Nearly 2000 years ago Jesus died
on the cross. Jesus paid the price for our sins. Now, “The war is over!” Mankind fights on.
The war between man and God continues. Who will tell those who fight on? Who will tell
them, “The war is over?”
3. We (every believer) have been given the ministry of reconciliation. What is reconciliation?
The Amplified Bible: Received us in favor, brought us into harmony with Himself.
Restoration to favor…that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with
Him. (5:18) At the Fall man lost this relationship with God. Fellowship was broken. God
didn’t go astray, man did!
4. Do you know...the war is over?
5. II Corinthians 5:17-21 we have the privilege of telling every casualty, “The war is over!”

Do you know the war is over?
I. THE MIRACLE OF THE WAR BEING OVER 5:17
A. Our Placement In Christ
1. Upon believing I, a former enemy, am placed ‘in Christ.’ That is my position before
God. It speaks of acceptance. It speaks of assurance. Our future with Him is
guaranteed.
2. When God looks at me, He sees me ‘in’ Jesus Christ. He sees the righteousness,
holiness, purity of His Son.
B. Our Privilege New Creation
1. New means it was never before and will never be repeated.
2. The ‘new creation’ is people with a new nature. It is not just patched up or rebuilt.
The newness does not become old in time. It is a newness that is everlastingly new.
C. Our Power Old things...BEHOLD...all things new
1. Old thing become new and continue to become new. New habits, attitudes, desires,
ideals, goals, dreams. It is both a crisis and a process.
2. The potential is there. It is a daily process as to whether we yield to the transforming
power of the new nature. A new kind of life within does not mean there is no more
struggles. The unredeemed human side remains!
3. Behold…is spontaneous joy, delight, wonder…all things become new!

Do you know the war is over?
II. THE MEASURE OF THE WAR BEING OVER 5:18a
A.It Is From God And all things are of God
1.All…not suffering, hell, crime, violence. The context: All things of verse 17.
2.That which is new of verse 17 is not by human design or initiative. All these ‘new things’ are of God!!
B.It Is For God Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ.
1.He received us (we who put His Son to death) as His own.
2.Reconcile is to change or exchange (like currency from a foreign country). Of persons: We were moved from Enemy to Friend!
3.By Jesus Christ…The war is over. WE BELONG TO HIM!

Do you know the war is over?
III. THE MESSENGER OF THE WAR BEING OVER 5:18b, 19b, 20a
To those who are “new”:
A. God hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation 18a
1. Ministry means, ‘charter’. Charters are certain rights granted and guaranteed by the
sovereign power of the state. It specifies the purpose of the business and then states
certain lines and limitations under which the business is to be carried on.
2. Christians have been chartered to do the king’s business. The charter of the church is
the New Testament. Reconciliation implies an obstruction. That obstruction is sin. With this obstruction we cannot enjoy God. There is no satisfaction. This reconciliation is between man and God…man and man…man and himself.
B. God hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation 19b
1. Living the life is important. A word must be spoken.
2. We have been entrusted with the message that the obstruction has been removed!
The Gospel is good news. The responsibility of sharing the Gospel falls on every
believer.
C. We are ambassadors for Christ 20a
1. As though God (Himself) did beseech you by us…Ambassadors. Ambassador is one
who acts not only on behalf of but also in the placed of the sovereign from whom he
has received his commission.
2. The voice of the Ambassador is the voice of the sovereign he represents. The
Ambassador has news for people in desperate need.
3. We are an Ambassador for Jesus Christ. You are either a good representative or bad. In the
Roman Empire there were two kinds of provinces: Senatorial and Imperial.
*The Senatorial Province was made of people who were peaceful and not at war with Rome.
They had surrendered and summitted.
*The Imperial Province were not peaceful. They were dangerous because they would rebel
against Rome if they could. It was necessary for Rome to send an ambassador to the
Imperial Provinces to make sure that an uprising would not break out.
*The Christian ambassador is sent to an Imperial Province. The world is in rebellion against
God!

Do you know the war is over?
IV. THE MESSAGE OF THE WAR BEING OVER 5:19a, 20b
A. The Message Demonstrated 19b
1. Incarnation…God became man.
2. Impartation…Not putting sins, trespasses unto them. The debt of sin is cancelled.
The record of sin is also cancelled. He imparts a right nature and reconciles the
record of sin.
3. Imputation…He puts to our credit the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
B. The Message Delivered 20b
Be ye reconciled
1.The provision is made, the way is open.
2.We beg you on behalf of Christ. Put down your instruments of war. The war is over!

Do you know the war is over?
V. THE MEANS OF THE WAR BEING OVER 5:21
A. This is the Man.
1. He became what we were so that we could become what He is. He became SIN for
us that we might become RIGHTEOUS.
2. (Is. 53:5ff)
B.This is the means.
1. The sinless One became sin on our behalf. The Father sees every believer ‘in Christ’ free
from all condemnation.
2. He is our righteousness. His perfect holiness meets God’s demands. God is satisfied! THE
WAR IS OVER!

Sin must be paid for...Jesus paid it all!!