2 Corinthians 5:20 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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2 Corinthians 5:20

Comments

An ambassador – what did an ambassador do? Well, an ambassador was sent to a foreign court to represent his king and to persuade that foreign court, to either extend favours, or to agree to some project. The ambassador would come with arguments, with a message and with persuasion. Of course, it would be done in a most diplomatic and friendly way but the ambassador was primarily one who put a case. Do we plead with people? Do we persuade people? What is the style of gospel proclamation in our church and among ourselves?

Application

We stand as representatives of God. We are sinners like all, who needed and still need forgiveness, but we plead with a lost world. It is the eternal God who condescends to speak through the preaching of the gospel. How long have you ignored him? He pleads with you. Don’t be foolish, don’t be obstinate. Be reconciled to him.

Questions

Among those who believe in the doctrines of grace, there is a difference of opinion on how you proclaim the gospel. Some say, ‘You must not so proclaim the gospel as to suggest that anyone may come. You must not cheapen it. You must not say to people, “You must be saved; you may come to Christ; you must respond to his call.” That might give the impression that anyone could be saved, whereas we would believe that only those who are elect from before the foundation of the world can be saved.’ Then there is another view – historically, by far the most popular view – which says, ‘No, you must preach to every person you possibly can and lay upon them the responsibility to turn to Christ and present what we call the “offer of salvation”, the free and unrestricted offer of the gospel.’ Though we believe that mankind is so bad that no one will ever turn to Christ, unless God in amazing mercy overrules and so works in their hearts as to sweetly compel them into the kingdom, working in irresistible grace, inclining their wills, so that they feel their need and desire Christ.

But if we believe that, can we appeal to all? If God desires us to do that, then how can God be genuine? He knows that only the elect will respond. Here is Paul giving an example to us of how it is to be done. The gospel call must go to everyone. We must use the third person, ‘There is a Saviour and they who turn to him will be saved.’ But we must also use the second person, ‘You need a Saviour. Christ will save you, if you turn to him.’ God is genuine in commanding us to preach the gospel like this because:

It makes clear that every single person in the world could come if they would come. The preaching of the gospel makes clear that the fault is on the side of human beings. The trouble is not that we lack the ability to come, but that because of sin, we will not come; we refuse to come.

It publishes the heart of God in this matter. God is not hard; ‘God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance’ and the open preaching of the gospel publishes the heart of God, if only people would turn.

It makes it clear to us as Christians what salvation is. It is a call out of the world, a call to turn from the old life. The preaching of the gospel, the very terms under which we came into the kingdom of God, were a call out of the world to turn to Christ.

God wants the elect to be saved as the result of the open call of the gospel, persuading them to come. While it is God’s work from the very beginning, he does not so work that I am unconscious in the process. He has determined that you and I will be consciously persuaded. We come under conviction of sin, we understand Calvary, and we respond to the message by repenting and trusting in Christ. That is why there must be the open preaching of the gospel.

Those who do not believe the gospel will be responsible for rejecting Christ and will be judged. It is made quite clear that the resistance is on the human side.

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

2 Corinthians 5:20 Commentary and Bible Study