Him Who Knew No Sin 2 Corinthians 5:21 Devotional

In this 2 Corinthians 5:21 Devotional, we’ll discover the depth of God’s love and amazing grace. This verse contains the heart of the gospel message, giving us great truths about Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross for our salvation. Through it, we find hope, redemption, and the opportunity to be reconciled to God. We’ll explore the meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:21, its implications for the Christian life, and how we can experience the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice in a close relationship with the Risen Christ. Along the way, we’ll uncover Biblical treasures such as the great exchange, the imputation of the sins of others, and the righteousness of Christ. So, let’s find out the beautiful contrast between sin and grace revealed in this verse.

How often do you think about the righteousness of Christ and the sovereignty of God? If you’re like me, not much. It’s easy to get caught up in the everyday things, all of the little things that distract us from the goodness of God. But what would happen if we took a minute out of our busy day to think about the enormity of God and the loving way He set a plan into motion for our salvation before time began? God’s hand brought the world into being, and even then, He had a plan to cover us with righteousness so we could spend eternity with Him. What an amazing Heavenly Father we have!

God’s righteousness and this brilliant plan for our redemption are all in this one scripture. So, let’s find our what righteous means in our lives today…

What is the Meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:21?

2 Corinthians 5:21 is an uplifting Bible verse about righteousness that’s sure to inspire our faith! Jesus lived a life free of sin so that He could become the sacrifice we needed. Because of His selfless sacrifice, we’re forgiven and declared righteous in the eyes of God. Praise Jesus! So let’s read this awe-inspiring scripture and explore its meaning in our lives today…

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 New King James Version

This verse captures the grace of God in its fullest expression and the great ends our loving Heavenly Father went to deliver us from the grip of sin. The phrase “Him who knew no sin” refers to the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who lived in perfect obedience to the law of God and was completely free from sin. As the Lamb of God, Jesus was the only One capable of bearing the guilt of our iniquities. He became a sin offering, not because of His own sins, but as the judicial way to reconcile sinful humanity to a holy God. Through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, we have the hope of salvation through faith in HIm.

The phrase “that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” means that because of our faith in Jesus Christ, His righteousness is credited to us, allowing us to stand in the sight of God as if we had never sinned. It’s not by our good works or efforts, but solely by His grace that we’re made righteous. This attributed righteousness transforms our identity, enabling us to live as new creatures who reflect His holiness in our lives. Because we’ve been saved by grace, we’re called to walk in obedience to God and grow in the likeness of Christ.

God’s Sovereign Plan Revealed in 2 Corinthians 5:21

2 Corinthians 5:21 reveals the sovereignty of God in His plan to redeem humanity. Even before creation, God knew He would send His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for sin and provide the Way for reconciliation with Him. This act of love and justice underscores the reliability of God’s plan for salvation. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we’re offered the righteousness of Christ, enabling us to stand before God as forgiven and redeemed.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

Ephesians 1:4-5 NIV

This verse affirms that God’s redemptive plan was set in motion before creation itself. It reveals His love and desire to bring us into a close relationship as His children through the sacrificial work of Christ Jesus. The sovereignty of God ensures that nothing happens outside of His divine plan, making it possible for us to become new creatures in Christ. As recipients of His amazing grace, we can rest in the assurance that God’s will is always for our good and His glory. This eternal plan calls us to live in gratitude, reflecting His love and sharing the gospel message of His saving grace with others.

The Great Exchange: A Cornerstone of Faith

Here’s something we don’t like to admit… We’re all sinners and need forgiveness to go to heaven. Because of His great love for us, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to be the sacrifice for our sinfulness. Jesus willingly obeyed the Father and came to earth, lived the perfect life, and died on the cross in our place. Once we’ve accepted Jesus as our Savior, our sins are forgiven and we have the assurance of eternal life. When God looks at us He doesn’t see our sin and shame anymore, He sees the blood of Jesus covering us with the righteousness of Christ. This trade-off, our sin, for Christ’s righteousness is known as the Great Exchange, and it is the cornerstone of our Christian faith.

Our sin separates us from God because He is holy. So, Jesus took upon Himself the awful consequences of a continued hostility between people and God. In return, we received the righteousness of God that allows us to stand before Him as new creations. This beautiful contrast between sin and grace is the heart of the Gospel, Christ’s righteousness is credited to us, while our sins were placed on Him. Jesus freely became the imputation of the sins of others knowing that without His great sacrifice, our salvation would be impossible.

Through the work of the Holy Spirit, this powerful gospel message brings transformation. It moves us from being children of wrath to becoming beloved sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. The old things have passed away, and we’ve been given a new life in Christ Jesus, defined by the amazing grace of our Holy Redeemer.

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the sovereignty of God shines through with His eternal plan of redemption. From the beginning, it was His purpose to send His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to satisfy the wrath of God as a sacrifice for sin on behalf of Christ’s people. The death of Christ on the cross is the strongest possible reason for us to trust in God’s love and His perfect justice.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 NIV

This verse beautifully complements the concept of the great exchange, reminding us that Christ’s sacrificial death was motivated by God’s love, not our worthiness. Even when we were lost in sin, God took the initiative to reconcile us to Himself through the death of His Son. This ultimate act of grace demonstrates the depth of God’s mercy and the immeasurable value of Christ’s righteousness, freely given to us as true believers.

God’s Hand in Our Redemption

Throughout Scripture, God’s hand is clearly seen orchestrating His perfect plan for redemption. From the law of God given to Moses to the arrival of Jesus in the likeness of sinful flesh, every detail points to the ultimate sacrifice of the Son of God for our salvation. This divine plan, guided by the sovereignty of God, reveals His love, justice, and desire to reconcile us to Himself.

The benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice extend far beyond forgiveness. They include the gift of eternal life, a permanent home in the presence of God, and a personal relationship with the Lord God. Through Christ’s righteousness, we’re fully covered and made acceptable in the sight of God.

As we reflect on Christ’s love and His work on the cross, we see the great pains God took to redeem us. His sovereignty ensures that even the guilt of our sins, the worst thing about us, can be transformed into the greatest blessing, reconciliation with God, our Heavenly Father.

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:32 NIV

This verse from Romans highlights the depth of God’s love and His willingness to give everything for our redemption. By giving His own Son to secure our salvation, God demonstrates that He will also provide for every spiritual need. Jesus bore the guilt of our sins, revealing the unmatched love of Christ and the amazing grace of our Holy Redeemer. Through this act, God’s hand guides us toward a new life in Christ Jesus, filled with every spiritual blessing. This assurance draws us into a close and eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father, reminding us of His unwavering commitment to our redemption.

Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God. He holds a place of ultimate authority and intercedes on our behalf. This position signifies the completion of His work of redemption and His exaltation as our Risen Savior. As the Mediator between God and humanity, Christ’s presence at the right hand of God assures us that our salvation is secure and our prayers are heard. Hebrews reminds us…

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Hebrews 1:3 NIV

His position is not only a symbol of victory but also a continual reminder of God’s love, justice, and the eternal relationship we have through Him.

Christ’s Sacrificial Death: The Foundation of the Christian Faith

The sacrificial death of Christ is more than a historical event we can read about in the Bible, it’s the very thing that makes the Christian life possible. In His sacrifice, we find the clearest expression of God’s Word and the grace of God.

The Apostle Paul wrote these words in 2 Corinthians 5:21 to emphasize the justice of God in dealing with sin and how the love of God provides a way for our salvation. This beautiful contrast reminds us that while sin is the proper expression of His hatred of transgression, His love gives us a way of escape through Christ’s righteousness.

The good news is that Jesus’ death conquered sin and death, and His resurrection secured our salvation. For a long time, we lived under the wrath of God, but now, through faith in the Risen Christ, we’re a new creation filled with the hope of eternal life. The Gospel of John reminds us of the defining moment when Jesus’ sacrifice became our salvation with these simple words…

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:30 NIV

This verse is the culmination of Christ’s sacrificial death when He completed His mission here on earth to redeem us. Jesus’ declaration, “It is finished,” signifies that the debt of sin was fully paid, fulfilling the law of God and the requirements for our salvation. His sacrifice bridges the gap between sinful people and a holy God and establishes the foundation of our Christian faith. Through His death, we’re freed from the guilt of sin and given the precious gift of eternal life. This ultimate act of love and obedience demonstrates the depth of God’s commitment to redeeming us, offering hope and renewal when we place our faith in Him.

Living as New Creations in Christ

The Christian life begins the instant we accept the free gift of salvation, becoming new creations in Christ. The Apostle Paul describes it this way…

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 New King James Version

As new creations, we’re called to live in the righteousness of God, allowing Christ’s love to shine through our words, actions, and relationships. Through Christ, we’re no longer bound by our past, instead, we’re given a fresh start to live according to God’s will. This transformation isn’t just a personal blessing but a calling to reflect God’s grace and truth in the world. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate the power of His love by walking in obedience and serving others with humility and compassion. As new creations, our lives testify to the amazing grace that has made us whole and the ongoing work of God in us.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

The ministry of reconciliation, entrusted to us by Christ Jesus, compels us to share the gospel message with others. 2 Corinthians tells us more about this ministry …

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV

Through this ministry, we become active participants in God’s plan to bring others into a close relationship with Him. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we’re ambassadors of Christ, representing His Kingdom and proclaiming the Good News of salvation. Our role in this ministry is both a great blessing and a significant responsibility, requiring us to walk in obedience and faithfully share the message of reconciliation. By living out our faith and demonstrating Christ’s love, we contribute to God’s redemptive work in the world. Each day as new creatures in Christ, we have the opportunity to reflect the heart of the gospel and point others to the amazing grace of our Holy Redeemer.

Holding Fast to God’s Truth

As believers, the most important thing we can do is hold fast to God’s Word and trust in His promises. This requires a steadfast faith in our Holy Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and a commitment to deepen our personal relationship with Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 reveals the amazing grace that allows God to see us as righteous, not by our efforts, but because of Jesus’ sacrificial death.

Romans 3:22 complements this truth by saying…

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.

Romans 3:22 NIV

Together, these scriptures confirm that our righteousness is a gift from God, made possible by the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. Salvation depends entirely on Christ’s work, not on our own, and this truth is central to the gospel message.

By embracing this righteousness through faith, we find assurance that we’re forgiven and redeemed, fully accepted in the sight of God. This confidence strengthens our trust in God’s justice and grace, enabling us to live as new creatures who reflect His love in every aspect of life. Holding firmly to this truth safeguards us against doubt and fear, and empowers us to face the challenges of a fallen world with hope and joy.

As ambassadors of Christ, we’re entrusted with the message of reconciliation and called to share the good news with others. By holding fast to God’s Word and living in His truth, we glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and fulfill our purpose in His eternal plan. This righteousness through faith is both a personal blessing and a calling to bring others into the joy of salvation through Christ.

Rejoicing in the Righteousness of Christ

In this 2 Corinthians 5:21 Devotional, we’ve discovered a verse rich with spiritual depth and practical application. It reminds us of the profound truth of the cross, where Jesus paid the price for our sins so that we could receive God’s righteousness. This exchange is the very heart of the gospel and the foundation of the Christian faith.

As you think about this verse, consider the overwhelming love of God and the immeasurable benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice. Take time to thank your Heavenly Father for His amazing grace and commit to sharing the good news with the people in your life. There’s no greater blessing than knowing the Risen Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and experiencing the freedom that comes from living in His righteousness.

Praise God for His indescribable gift, and may the Holy Spirit guide you in living as a new creation, reconciled to our Holy God through Christ Jesus!