The Character of a Born-Again Person

In 2 Corinthians 5:16–21, Paul explains the meaning and responsibility of life in Christ. He is not only describing a personal spiritual experience but also defending his ministry and showing how God’s work of reconciliation creates a new community and mission. Those who are made new in Christ receive a changed way of thinking and are called to represent Christ to others.

1. A new perspective

“Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.” (v 16, NKJV)

A born-again person receives a new perspective. Before knowing Christ, people may judge others according to outward appearance, social position, background, success, or human standards. Paul says that believers should no longer evaluate people “according to the flesh.” Even though some had previously viewed Christ merely from a human point of view, their understanding of him had now changed. In the same way, a Christian begins to see Christ as the risen Lord and sees other people as those who need God’s grace. Therefore, new birth changes not only what a person believes but also how he or she looks at Christ, other people, and the world.

2. A new identity

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (v 17, NKJV)

A born-again person receives a new identity because he or she is “in Christ.” Paul does not merely say that the person has improved or made a few changes; he says that the person has become a “new creation.” The old life, with its sinful ways, former values, guilt, and separation from God, no longer has the final authority over the believer. God has begun a new work through union with Christ. This does not mean that Christians never struggle or make mistakes, but it means that their deepest identity is no longer determined by their past. They now belong to Christ and are being formed according to the new life God has given them.

3. A new relationship

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (v 18-19, NKJV)

A born-again person has a new relationship with God because God has reconciled him or her through Christ. Sin created separation and hostility between humanity and God, but God took the initiative to restore this broken relationship through the death of Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes that reconciliation is God’s work, not something people achieve through their own goodness. God was in Christ, dealing with sin and making forgiveness possible. The believer therefore does not live as an enemy or stranger of God but as one who has been welcomed into fellowship with him. This restored relationship with God becomes the foundation of the Christian’s new life.

4. A new responsibility

 ^“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,” (v 18, NKJV)

A born-again person receives the responsibility of participating in the “ministry of reconciliation.” After God reconciles believers to himself, he entrusts them with the message that others can also be restored to God through Christ. This responsibility belongs not only to pastors, missionaries, or church leaders; every Christian is called to communicate God’s grace through words, conduct, forgiveness, and loving relationships. The believer’s life should point people toward the God who reconciles. Having personally experienced reconciliation, the Christian should become a reconciler rather than a person who continues hatred, division, bitterness, or unnecessary conflict.

5. A new mission

“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.” (v 20, NKJV)

A born-again person has a new mission as an “ambassador for Christ.” An ambassador represents the authority and message of the one who sends him. Paul uses this image to show that Christians represent Christ in the world. Their words, decisions, relationships, and conduct should communicate something about their King. The ambassador does not create his own message but faithfully presents the message entrusted to him. Therefore, Christians are called to appeal to people on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.” This mission must be carried out with humility and love, not pride or force, because the believer is a representative of Christ rather than the owner of the gospel.

6. A new standing and lifestyle

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (v 21, NKJV)

A born-again person has a new standing before God and should live a new kind of life. Verse 21 explains the foundation of this new standing: Christ, who knew no sin, was made “sin for us,” meaning that he bore the judgment and consequences of sin on behalf of sinners. As a result, those who trust in Christ become “the righteousness of God in him.” This righteousness is received through Christ, not earned by human achievement. Because believers have received this new position before God, they should live in a way that reflects God’s righteousness through holiness, honesty, love, forgiveness, and obedience. The new lifestyle is not a way of earning salvation; it is the visible evidence of the salvation already received in Christ.

Thus, according to 2 Corinthians 5:16–21, the character of a born-again person is seen in six areas: a new perspective, a new identity, a new relationship with God, a new responsibility, a new mission, and a new righteous lifestyle. Paul’s emphasis is that those who have been reconciled to God through Christ must also represent Christ and proclaim his message of reconciliation to others.