Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor 5:20)
The Apostle tells the Corinthians that though they die (in the flesh) they shall be present with the Lord. That all must stand before the judgement seat of Christ and knowing the terror (yes, terror) of the Lord we persuade others, to be reconciled to God. He ends the chapter with "God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reconciled (Katallasso) to return to the favor of God.
Terror (phobos) awe, fear, reverence. But in this context as Jesus said" do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt 10:28). for our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:26)
The righteousness of God is imperative for entrance into the Kingdom of God. Let's visit the first letter to Corinthians chapter 6 where the Apostle expounds what unrighteousness looks like....
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators (any sexual activity outside of marriage), nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor 6:9-11)
People want a god who will allow them to continue in these things. Paul in Galatians 5 calls them the "works of the flesh (that inherent sinful nature, the Adamic nature)
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery (Pharmakeia--from which we get our English word pharmacy-the use of drugs in magic in connection with idolatry) hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
God is love yes, for we didn't love God, He loved us (his people who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God) and sent His son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus, from above, came down from heaven, took on a body of flesh and blood and bones to do what no human being born of Adam could. Take away our sins. That is why it is imperative, absolutely essential, vital, that one confess, repent, believe, trust and believe in Him.
He Himself said it, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved."...“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” .... "I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."...."I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.".... "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (a direct reference to His own divinity and those Jewish religious leaders knew it, for they picked up stones to stone him for of course, blasphemy...saying "you a mere man make yourself out to be God)
In the Chronicles of Naria, there is a a sentence spoken about Aslan the Lion (a type of the lion of Judah,the Messiah, Jesus) that sums it up so succinctly....
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
God is good, holy, righteous, gracious, merciful and just. You must be perfect, as the Father in heaven is perfect. The only Way to acquire that perfection is through the perfect and only Savior Jesus Christ.
God made Him who had no sin to be a sin offering for us. So that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 cor 5:21)
There is No Other Way.
He who believes in the
Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not
see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”(John 3:36)
