Reconciled to New Life

Psalm 32, II Corinthians 5:16-21

The Psalmist in Psalm 32 tells how happy he is since his trespasses/wrongdoings are forgiven and his sin covered over. He tells how awful his life was before he repented and asked forgiveness including groaning and aching bones. Yet when he confessed- admitted his sin to God – then God forgave his sin and removed the guilt which was tearing him apart.

This theme of forgiveness comes out in II Corinthians where we are not just forgiven but made a new creation due to being reconciled to God through Christ’s work on the cross. It says that God made Christ the one who knew no sin to be sin – take on all our sin so that in Christ we might become righteous.

This reflects the Psalm when it talks about his sin being covered over. Jesus blood on the cross covers all our sins so that we can be reconciled to God. Being reconciled means mending a broken relationship. Due to our sin, our relationship with God was broken. This is the old spoken of. The new is our restored relationship with God. This was accomplished by Christ’s death so now we don’t have our trespasses counted against us.

The difference between these two passages is that one in the Old Testament is under the law and needs to do grain and animal sacrifices. The Corinthians letter tells about something new – the new covenant where Christ made the one and only sacrifice – that no more of the old are needed.

The second part of the Psalm tells about the benefits of being in relationship with God. When the faithful offer prayers during times of distress the flood will not reach them. God is there hiding place during times of trouble and they are surrounded by and hold fast to songs of deliverance. This is one of the signs of the steadfast love of God which surrounds all those who trust in him – have a restored relationship with God.

What do we have as new creatures under the new covenant? We have the power of the Holy Spirit to live righteous lives and be ambassadors for Christ entreating others how through belief in Christ they can be reconciled to God and become new, putting the old life behind.

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