II Corinthians 5  Paul finishes chapter 4, reminding us to look at the unseen, eternal things, and not the seen, temporal things.  It is eternity that is more important.. more vital..and we need to keep focused there as we live here.

We now live in a temporary "tent".. a human body.. a "house".   In this house.. we "groan".  We are burdened, Paul says, "because we do not want to be unclothed".  These bodies are perishable and mortal.. they are dying.. decaying.. and are "absent from the Lord."  The Greek word translated
"absent" here is apekdechomai - which means to expect fully.. look(wait) for.   We.. are in temporary housing.. groaning in our decaying residence.. looking forward to- with expectation.. to real life in our heaven made "dwelling" - immortal, imperishable, eternal, made by God..  To be finally "at home with the Lord"!

Paul uses the word "therefore" 6 times in response to these truths:

v6-8  "Therefore, being of good courage.. we walk by faith, not by sight.. "

v9-10 "Therefore.. we have as our ambition.. to be pleasing to Him.." 

v11-15  "Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord,  we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God;"  In every way, Paul says, he is controlled by the love of Christ.. to "no longer live for " himself, "but for Him who died and rose again on [his] behalf." 

v16 "Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh.. "  Recognize - know, consider, look, perceive... Looking at the outside of a person, Paul says, is useless. We need to look at the unseen.. the more important part of a person.

v17-19 "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come."  God "reconciled us to Himself through Christ".  Reconcile - katallasso - to change.. to compound a difference.. an adjustment, a restoration...an exchange.
 "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself". God reconciled us to Himself by "not counting [our] trespasses against [us]"  
The dictionary defines the word reconcile like this:
1. to make friendly again or win over to a friendly attitude
2. to settle ( a quarrel, etc.) or compose ( a difference, etc.)
3. to make (arguments , ideas, tests, etc.) consistent, compatible, etc; bring into harmony
4. to make content, submissive, or acquiescent to..

v20  "Therefore.. we are ambassadors for Christ.. "  God has given us "the ministry of reconciliation";  He has "committed to us the word of reconciliation".. He entreats others, through us, "on behalf of Christ",  to "be reconciled to God". 

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 

As reconciled, changed.. new creatures in Christ, we walk by faith, we walk to please God, we look at the eternal need of others.. and we beg them, try to persuade them, minister to them.. that they might also come to be reconciled with God, through Jesus Christ, who came for that exact purpose!

Father in heaven, You are so gracious and kind.  You made Jesus, the Beloved and sinless Son of God, to become sin on our behalf.. the sacrifice that reconciles the world to Yourself.  Oh how amazing and wonderful You are!  Gracious God, help us now to walk in faith, to be ambassadors for Christ, to please You, by bringing others to You.  May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done. Thank You Father , for You have given us such marvelous hope in Jesus. Be glorified today we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.