13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 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 5:13-21
One of the boldest claims of this passage is that “we might become the righteousness of God!” What? Human beings become the righteousness of the righteous God? How can that be? Through the salvation of Jesus Christ, not only have our sins been washed away, we also have been transformed, we changed from sinful to righteous, and when people see who we become they know that God is righteous and when He pardoned us of our sins, it was right and righteous.
Paul was a great example of that change, he was, according to himself, a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent (1 Timothy 1:13), now he received the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). He attributed these changes to the love of Christ. May we also dwell in His love so we can shine forth His righteousness.
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 