2 Cor. 5:11-21  "Therefore"....  because we will appear before the judgement seat of Christ.. "knowing the fear of the Lord"... because Life is at stake - " we persuade men".  Paul argues, teaches, convinces, entreats, and prays that men will come to faith in Jesus.  Even if it appears he is a mad man "beside ourselves" - it doesn't matter - only that men come to Christ.  "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." ( v13-14) 

Nothing else, no other argument is important, only that " .. all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (v18).  This ministry is defined clearly, " God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation."

Reconciliation - exchange; restoration.  This word goes deeper than our common understanding.  It is more than just becoming friends again. More than making peace.  God "made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  In the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, God made an exchange possible for all who will receive it - an exchange of our sin for His righteousness. 

This exchange is offered to "the world". 
 It brings total forgiveness and justification, " not counting their trespasses against them".
The "old things"  pass away.  The "new creature" comes into being - in Christ .

The only way to be reconciled to God is through Jesus Christ.  It is not God who is reconciled to us - He does not change !  We must be- changed, exchanging our sin for His righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ - reconciled to Him.  There is no other way to God, except through Jesus.

Father, give us ears to hear and hearts to receive Your Word.  Thank You for reconciling us to Yourself through Jesus Christ. How we praise You. Wonderful God and Gracious Father, we are so grateful. Amen