Counted Right, Not Cleaned Up

Mark: Walking into a spotless house, I'm always scared I'll track mud in. If God is perfectly holy, how does someone like me get counted as right with him?

Sarah: I've felt exactly that, Mark, and if you're watching and feel it too, this one's for you. I'm no cleaner than anyone. Let's look at 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Scripture: For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Mark: Okay, that's a lot packed into one sentence. Who's Paul even talking to, and why is he bringing it up?

Sarah: Attributed to Paul and Timothy, addressed to the church in Corinth and believers in Achaea. Just before this, Paul says God was reconciling the world, not counting people's wrongs.

Mark: Not counting them? That sounds too easy. I always figured I had to tidy up first, like before guests come over.

Sarah: To me, it means God did the reconciling, not me. And the passage says that happened through Jesus Christ.

Mark: So God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf, so that in him we might become God's righteousness, instead of me tidying up first?

Sarah: It is backwards, and I'm so glad. I still fall short, and I'm saved only by grace. Paul says it's as though God were entreating through them: be reconciled to God. To me, it reads as an appeal, and the passage says God was in Christ, not counting the world's trespasses against them.

Mark: Honestly, I always pictured him waiting to catch me out. A plea sounds really different. So where do I even start?

Sarah: Just talk to him honestly. One page I read says no special words are required; what matters is faith in Jesus. Even 'God, I want to know you' is a start. I love you, and I care about you. My door's always open. Follow Good News Talks, and we'll keep chatting.