2 Corinthians 5:16 English Standard Version (ESV) From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.
There is a human problem with reconciliation that needs to be addressed. In studying this chapter about the ministry of reconciliation it might best be understood that the difficulty starts here in verse 16.
What does it mean to regard Christ according to the flesh? That is to take a view of him with our flesh and we must remember that the flesh opposes the spirit and the spirit opposes the flesh. In that there seems to be no reconciliation in us as to those two aspects. Reconciliation is not about the conflict within ourselves. Reconciliation is between God and man, putting to an end to hostility and rebellion.
That does not resolve the conflict within ourselves. Flesh and spirit will always be at odds with one another and it is up to us to decide which to believe, which to trust, and which to follow.
God has reconciled us to Him. The war is over from God’s point of view. God does not change and therefore any reconciliation that needs to happen now has to be within us. Verse 20 says “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
We can only do that if we do so in the spirit. If the flesh is allowed to dominate our thoughts and actions, we have not done what is necessary to reconcile ourselves to God. It is not a matter of meeting Him half way.
v. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
We should ask ourselves, can a dead man sin? The answer to that is no. This is where the flesh screams “But I sin.” That is true, so what can be said of our old dead man? He is not yet quite dead enough. He will be dead enough when we follow the spirit in all things and do not allow the flesh to control our lives.