our vision, mission, and commission

It’s been a few months since my last post.  I had the opportunity to lead some youth at my church in a Bible study a couple of weeks ago over 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.
In verses, 16-17, Paul writes that we are new creatures in Christ.  He tells us not to recognize anyone by their flesh. When Christ comes into our life, we are to start looking at people differently than we did before just as God no longer looks at us the same way.
Then, in verses 18-19, Paul gives us the broad strokes of our ministry. Each of us has a gift from God to be used to honor and glorify Him.  When Christ comes into our life, He gives us a mission or a ministry. Our primary ministry is showing others Jesus so that they can be reconciled to Him the way we have been reconciled. In conjunction with the first point, our trespasses (sins) are no longer counted against because of this reconciliation. We need to bring that word and message of reconciliation to the world.
Finally, in verses 20-21, Paul tells us the reason for this great mission. We are ambassadors of God to the world. God Himself came down from Heaven in the form of Jesus and took upon Himself the punishment for the entire world’s sin. Because of that sacrifice we are declared righteous in the sight of God.